26 Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. 27 Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. 28 And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.
Acts 14:26-28 NLT
APPLICATION
Originally, Paul went to Antioch to preach the gospel and he was rejected. Due to the rejection, Paul traveled to Iconium where God's message was accepted. Many people were saved and turned to God. Paul's rejection had to happen. The rejection was a redirection.
Your rejection had to happen. The pain wasn't easy, but it had to happen. Why? I don't know. Only God can answer that for you.
In today's verse, Paul goes back to Antioch. He goes back to the place of rejection, pain, and hurt. There is a season for everything. Maybe it was the wrong time to be in Antioch.
If God closes a door, then He can also open it again. God always has a plan! We can trust God's plan and that it is to benefit us, as His children.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for your Word. Help us to trust your plan for our lives. Please take the pain and sting from our rejection. Thank you for redirecting us. It hurts now, but we know that you have a reason for everything even though we may not understand. God, we invite you into our lives. We thank you for your protection and redirection. Please give us wisdom and clarity in the wilderness of uncertainty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.