Dirt stung his eye.
Dirt. In his eye. In his nose. In his mouth. Hair. Clothes. Everywhere.
Another stone thudded against his back. At least he thought it was a stone. He honestly wasn't sure anymore. Stones had rained on him for what felt like hours. Now he didn't think he was going to make it. Was this the suffering God had warned him about.
Paul felt the world shifting around him. Everything was moving. This must be it. This was the end.
His body was flung head first down a hill. He summersaulted the whole way down, landing in a crumpled pile of bone and flesh.
Paul didn't know how much time had passed, but he felt pressure all over his body once again. Only this time it was different. It was soft, warm, filled with fire.
Healing fire.
He felt his body being restored, and then a loud pop sounded in his ears. All of a sudden Paul realized people were praying over him.
The other disciples. They were here for him.
Warmth filled his heart, and despite the sore face muscles, Paul felt a smile coming. Because even thought the unbelievers had tried to kill him, God's people where there to lift him up.
Based on Acts 14:19-20
"But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe."
Acts 14:19-20
The enemy convinced the people to persecute Paul. He convinced them to turn their backs on Paul, and stone him to death. And they did. When they were finished, they dragged him out of the city. And just when the enemy thought he'd won this battle, God's people surrounded Paul, and helped him stand up again.
Even Paul had a support group for when he was beaten to a bloody pulp.
No comments:
Post a Comment