Acts 18, ‘just as Paul was about to speak,…’ 14)

sometimes we don’t need to speak

Dear readers, sometimes we have no need to speak. Why?

– because He will not be silent; He speaks.

Our Lord speaks. He voices through images and nature; by dreams, and silences; with and into my feelings and thoughts. In sufferings and whirlwinds.

…as well as the hearts of strangers, as Gallio

“…many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

Here, note Paul, as happens rarely, does not speak,

“14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them,”

Paul listens.

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.”

listen today as our Lord speaks through others, thru another, and, to and through you.