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 has the idea of being endless, plenty, profuse, or even more than enough. When God spoke to Paul in Acts 18:9-10, Paul was lacking in 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 of the previous cities he planted a church in. So, naturally he was apprehensive and fearful of this happening again. Are you someone struggling with old wounds? Are you someone living in fear of the future? Are you someone living in fear that we might enter in World War III because of an out-of-control, foreign dictator? Let the words of the Lord instill much peace in your heart. When the disciples were 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” (Psalm 119:165). “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 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 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 in the front, the back, the sides, the top, and even below his feet. In Isaiah 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. The size of armies does not pose a threat; threatening words pose no threat; hostility and anger pose no threat. God’s presence is with us into the entire world. Yes, there is much protection.
God assured Paul of much potential.
“I have much people in this city.” God assured Paul of much more potential at Corinth. There were much more sinners who needed to be saved. There was much more people to witness to. There was much more people to lead to Christ. There were much more people to be saved, baptized, and added to the church. There were much more servant leaders to train and place into ministry! There were much more preachers to be trained and sent out. Paul needed to be reminded that 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 that He has set for our lives.
Have an abounding God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Matthew 26
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