They returned to Lystra...

Acts 14:19-22, But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

It seems very unlikely that those who stoned Paul were inexperienced enough to leave him for dead if they had not indeed killed him. It’s just possible that indeed he was raised from the dead, but we can’t know for sure. In any case, God was not finished with him yet, and he seems to become even bolder! He returns to these three cities for the purpose of strengthening the believers there. Do we really accept the truth that our life is in the hands of our Almighty God, and that he wants to use us in his plans?

We give you all the glory as you use us in your plans!

ESV Lectionary