His spirit was provoked…therefore he reasoned

“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.” - Act 17v16-17

When we first got to our town in Ireland we were the only Christians that we knew about. For several months we lived and tried to get to know people without encountering a single believer. There were other times in those early years that were lonely so I can somewhat identify with how Paul felt when he was all alone in Athens.

As Paul walked through the city he found that it was totally given over to idolatry. He must have felt hopeless and helpless. So what do you do as a believer in a wicked idolatrous place when you are all by yourself? Wait for reinforcements? Cower in fear and loneliness? Leave?

Nope – you do what Paul did. He went throughout the city talking with everyone he could. He talked to Jews in the synagogue, he talked to religious people, and he talked to people in the marketplace. He couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

O that I could have that same kind of fire when I am all alone!