The people of the Lord get discouraged from time to time. The Lord, of course, knows this very well, and provides us with examples of courageous faith, and with the encouragement of his word and his presence. The people of God in every generation have had to learn how to stand upon God's promises in faith and to trust the Lord in their circumstances. We are no different from them. We must learn to stand on the promises of God alone, but with faith they are sufficient.
Our Bible text records a time in the early expansion of the church when things seemed to be difficult, when Paul was discouraged due to unceasing opposition to the gospel. God spoke to him in a vision: "Do not be afraid ... I am with you ... I have many people in this city." It was a call for Paul to believe in the promises of God, a call for him to not let the world crowd Jesus out of his life or out of his thoughts, and a call to recognize the work that God was doing in the lives of those who would believe.
We are not alone. We have his word, his Spirit, and his people. It is the very nature and character of Christ to encourage us. The most common words from the mouth of Jesus to his followers during his earthly ministry were "Do not be afraid." The Spirit of Christ will say the same truth to you and I this morning: he is with us, and he is enough.
