Monday, 7 May 2018

THE CROWD JOINED IN


PRAYER PAUSE


Tuesday 8 May 2018, John Sullivan


THE CROWD JOINED IN


Enter into the stillness of God within.


Reading:  “The crowd joined in and showed its hostility to Paul and Silas, so the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be flogged.” (Acts 16:22-34)



Reflection. I have only had minor experiences of “mob psychology”. A crowd can easily develop an emotion of its own and become unreasonable.  Paul had a good reception in Philippi in the beginning.  But he drove out a spirit that was bringing someone money and there was a reaction and the mob was induced to turn against Paul and Silas.  It can happen today when politicians rouse unemployed youth to stir up trouble.  It is frightening to be at the receiving end of it.  Jesus works throough all these human twists and turns of emotion - both in mobs and in individuals.  Slowly his work progresses despite all the scars.  I heard only yesterday, “It is our scars that make us interesting”.  Thing sdon’t often go straightforward. Our failures generate new successes.
   

Prayer. Lord, give us courage when things go wrong.  Help us to be steady and trust: you are at work among us.  Amen 



































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