How can we apply the courage shown in Acts 9:25 to our lives? Verse Focus “But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.” — Acts 9:25 Setting the Scene • Saul (later Paul) had just begun preaching Christ after his conversion. • Threatened with death in Damascus, he faced a life-or-death decision. • Fellow believers risked their own safety to smuggle him out. • Courage here is both Saul’s willingness to continue the mission and the disciples’ willingness to help. What Courage Looks Like in This Moment • Trusting God’s call even when opposition surfaces immediately (Acts 9:20-23). • Accepting help; courage is not lone-ranger heroism but humble cooperation (Galatians 6:2). • Acting decisively; they moved “by night,” not delaying obedience (Psalm 119:60). • Prioritizing gospel advance over personal comfort or reputation (Philippians 1:12-14). Timeless Principles to Embrace • Danger does not cancel duty. • God often provides protection through ordinary means—friends, a basket, a wall. • Courage involves both speaking truth and taking wise precautions (Matthew 10:16). • Community is God’s design for sustaining bold faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). Practical Ways to Apply This Courage • Speak openly of Christ in your circles, even if it risks social pushback. • Identify trusted believers who can support you when pressures rise; build that network now. • Practice swift obedience: when God prompts, act promptly instead of analyzing every threat away. • Use whatever “basket” God puts in your hand—technology, hospitality, finances—to advance the gospel and protect fellow believers. • Remember past deliverances; keep a record of how the Lord has carried you through walls of difficulty (1 Samuel 17:37). Encouragement from Other Scriptures • “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid…for the LORD your God goes with you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 • “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” — Acts 4:20 • “The righteous are as bold as a lion.” — Proverbs 28:1 • “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 Takeaway Courage, like that night in Damascus, is choosing obedience over fear, trusting God’s protection, and leaning on the body of Christ to keep the mission moving forward—no matter the walls in front of us. |
    |