How Much is Too Much?
Today’s Verse:
“For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” ~Acts 18:10
How much is too much? Is it possible to really have too much? The word “much” means “in great abundance.” It could have the idea of being endless, plenty, profuse, or even enough. When God gave Paul the message in Acts 18:9-10, Paul lacked valor, vitality, and vision. He needed this word of encouragement from God at that moment. Paul may have thought it was too much for him to continue there in Corinth. However, God told him, “I have much people in this city.”
God assured Paul of much PEACE.
God said, “Be not afraid.” Paul had been persecuted and hurt at all the previous cities where he planted churches. So, naturally, he was apprehensive and fearful of this happening again. Are you struggling with old wounds? Are you living in fear of the future? Are you living in fear that we might enter World War Three because of an out-of-control foreign dictator? Then let the words of the Lord instill much peace in your heart. When the disciples were caught in a torrential storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus spoke the words “Peace, be still” and the waters were calmed. “Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them,” Ps. 119:165. “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee,” Isa. 26:3. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” John 14:27. These verses encourage us about an abundance of peace that we can have in the Lord! There is much peace with the Lord!
God assured Paul of much PROTECTION.
“For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee.” These words from our Lord gave Paul much assurance that he was protected on all sides. He was protected from the front, the back, the sides, the top, and even below his feet. In Isa. 54:17, there is a treasured promise from God to all of His faithful servants: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” I think of how the Lord’s presence was with Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael when they were cast into the fiery furnace. Large armies do not pose a threat! Threatening words pose no threat! Hostility and anger pose no threat! God’s presence is with us everywhere we go! Yes, there is much protection!
God assured Paul of much POTENTIAL.
“I have much people in this city.” God assured Paul of the great potential at Corinth. There were many more sinners who needed to be saved! There were many more people to witness to! There were many more people to lead to Christ! There were many more people to be saved, baptized, and added to the church! There were many more servant leaders to train and place into ministry! There were many more preachers to be trained and sent out! Paul needed to be reminded he had barely touched the hem of the garment! “I have much people in this city”! There is still much more potential!
How much is too much? There is never too much of God’s presence. There is never too much of God’s promises. There is never too much of God’s power. There is never too much! Let us have faith in God, obey His commands, and attain the potential He has set for our lives!
Have an abounding God Morning!