He had a way with words. He commanded respect. While considering all you know about Paul, take a look at a surprising passage in Ephesians 6:19.
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel..."
These are the words of the great evangelist--the author of most of the New Testament--a man who could eloquently present the grandest of theological concepts. Do you find it a little strange that the man who never seemed at a loss for words is praying that words would be given to him? You might assume Paul always knew what to say--that he always had the proper analogies and proper scripture references at his finger tips. Yet here he is, requesting prayer that he would be helped in an area that seemed to be his strength.
I think there is a powerful lesson here! It is natural to pray for help when we are facing a difficulty that puts us beyond our comfort zone. But, do we pray for help when we are facing a challenge that doesn't seem very challenging? This very moment I had to pause and ask if I am applying this principle as I write this article! I am fairly confident in my writing ability--so confident that I didn't pause to pray for God's guidance as I began to type! Yet, I am aware of what it is like when God is guiding my words--when words and ideas come to my head faster than I can hit the keys.
Whatever you think your strengths are, don't be fooled into thinking that your strengths give you reason to depend on yourself. Sure, we are familiar with Paul's words in 2 Corithinans 12:9 that God's power is perfected in our weaknesses, but we can't forget Paul's desire that God's power be perfected in his strengths.
A great illustration of this concept can be found in Exodus 17. When the Israelites went into battle with the Amalekites, God instructed Moses to raise his hands over the battlefield. If Moses was faithful in heeding these instructions, God was going to give the Israelites victory. And so, the text records "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning" (vs 11). Think about this: when Moses hands were raised, did the Isrealites swing their swords any differently? Did they suddenly develop better warring tactics? Not likely. What seems to be going on here is that when Moses' hands were raised in a demonstration of prayer, worship, and surrender, God increased the effectiveness of the Israelites efforts. When Moses' hands were raised, they didn't suddenly become savants of warfare--but they did find that the thrusts and parries that weren't working a moment ago were suddenly more effectual. This story illustrates the truth that God can turn our best efforts into successful efforts.
The reality is that God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. If we only pray for God's grace and guidance when we feel outmatched or underskilled, we may miss out on the grace God wants to grant us even when we feel capable and equipped.
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel..."
These are the words of the great evangelist--the author of most of the New Testament--a man who could eloquently present the grandest of theological concepts. Do you find it a little strange that the man who never seemed at a loss for words is praying that words would be given to him? You might assume Paul always knew what to say--that he always had the proper analogies and proper scripture references at his finger tips. Yet here he is, requesting prayer that he would be helped in an area that seemed to be his strength.
I think there is a powerful lesson here! It is natural to pray for help when we are facing a difficulty that puts us beyond our comfort zone. But, do we pray for help when we are facing a challenge that doesn't seem very challenging? This very moment I had to pause and ask if I am applying this principle as I write this article! I am fairly confident in my writing ability--so confident that I didn't pause to pray for God's guidance as I began to type! Yet, I am aware of what it is like when God is guiding my words--when words and ideas come to my head faster than I can hit the keys.
Whatever you think your strengths are, don't be fooled into thinking that your strengths give you reason to depend on yourself. Sure, we are familiar with Paul's words in 2 Corithinans 12:9 that God's power is perfected in our weaknesses, but we can't forget Paul's desire that God's power be perfected in his strengths.
A great illustration of this concept can be found in Exodus 17. When the Israelites went into battle with the Amalekites, God instructed Moses to raise his hands over the battlefield. If Moses was faithful in heeding these instructions, God was going to give the Israelites victory. And so, the text records "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning" (vs 11). Think about this: when Moses hands were raised, did the Isrealites swing their swords any differently? Did they suddenly develop better warring tactics? Not likely. What seems to be going on here is that when Moses' hands were raised in a demonstration of prayer, worship, and surrender, God increased the effectiveness of the Israelites efforts. When Moses' hands were raised, they didn't suddenly become savants of warfare--but they did find that the thrusts and parries that weren't working a moment ago were suddenly more effectual. This story illustrates the truth that God can turn our best efforts into successful efforts.
The reality is that God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. If we only pray for God's grace and guidance when we feel outmatched or underskilled, we may miss out on the grace God wants to grant us even when we feel capable and equipped.