The Apostle Paul faced severe persecution from his own people.

In the last three cities Paul had visited, the Jews incited mobs, attempting to intimidate him. Trying to silence him, they even followed when he left to go somewhere else.

Paul tried reaching out to the Jews in Corinth, but they drove him away with abuse and insults. Today’s verse comes from the night after Paul was cast out of the Jewish synagogue.

God told Paul to stay and preach boldly, so for a year and a half, Paul stayed.

Finally, the Jews became weary of the growing Christian church and dragged Paul in front of the Roman governor, Gallio, where they accused Paul of having people worship differently than their laws.

Even before Paul had a chance to speak, the pagan Roman governor threw the case out because he didn’t care about the Jewish religion.

True to His word, God protected Paul. Gallio was one of the people He used.

God has people in many places and circumstances. We may feel like we are completely alone at times, but God is always with us. He always has people that He can send to help us.

As long as we walk with God’s leading, we have no reason to be afraid or be silent.