Paul traveled the Roman world, preaching to Jews and Gentiles, raising converts and launching churches. He targeted busy ports, met with the leading people of each city, and always kept good people at his side. Paul was strategic. But he actually started the church in Galatia by getting sick.

Paul reminded the Galatians of their chance encounter. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

Paul may have contracted malaria (common in that part of the world), or was weak and still recovering from the physical beatings suffered earlier in his missionary journey. Paul dealt with bad eyesight, so maybe his eyes were inflamed and bothering him? Regardless, he paused his travels in Galatia, to the benefit of those folks who soon heard about Jesus.

In prison Paul preached to his jailers, leading many to faith in Christ. Here he preached to his caregivers, leaving behind an active and vibrant church.

I hate getting sick, and I hate watching well-made plans go awry. But it’s worth paying attention when you or I find ourselves in such a place. Because sometimes God messes with our strategies in order to push us in fresh, more fruitful directions.

Galatians 4 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

As a refugee in Egypt, in a world decimated by famine, Jacob lay on his deathbed and blessed his sons and their families.

He said to Joseph, I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.

Just where this extra ridge lay is unclear. Some scholars believe it refers to the ancient city of Shechem, where Jacob son’s massacred the men of the city in revenge for the abduction and rape of their sister. Jacob, however, condemned their actions, so likely he’s not referring to that particular incident. But at some point he took control of that area.

Four hundred and thirty years later, as Jacob’s descendents left Egypt, they dug up the bones of Joseph to rebury them in this promised location. Jacob’s promise of an extra ridge of land was handed down from generation to generation during the captivity in Egypt. His words were neither forgotten nor passed into legend.

I’m not nearly so patient. Of course, the children of Israel lived in slavery, so patience was enforced. But keeping a promise alive for so long took intentionality. Elders taught the next generation, who repeated the process. Over and over.

Those of us long in faith have the same responsibility, to teach those younger than us to follow Jesus and live in his ways. We possess the promise of new life in Christ, but the end results are often hard to see. Persevere in teaching and promoting. Eventually we’ll come in sight of that ridge of land and it will be ours to keep.

Genesis 48 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Patrick Hendry

My wife and I have one grandchild, so it’s easy to know who’s the favorite. When another comes along, we’ll play our cards close to the vest. Favoritism comes natural, as we like being around certain people more than others. Those of us with overly active self esteem assume we’re favored. But we all experience the sting of less-favored status at times.

So I find it encouraging when Paul writes, God does not show favoritism. The Lord carries none of our capriciousness into relationships. He loves us immensely, each one of us. He keeps track whether we’re spicy famous or vanilla bland.

In reality all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We read that God wants no one to perish, but all to come to repentance. Just because God doesn’t pick favorites doesn’t mean he fails to care for each of us as individuals.

We are not ignored—just the opposite. Unbelievably, we weak, mortal creatures have God’s undivided attention. Regardless of who you are or what you’ve done, you inhabit a most favored status.

Galatians 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Rob Curran

No one is too far gone for the Lord.

The apostle Paul wrote about his calling from God in a letter to the church in Galatia. Rumors of his dramatic conversion preceded him as he began to communicate his newly discovered faith. He wrote:

I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.

Paul bulldozed lives and tormented the faithful. Then Jesus slammed him to the ground, blinded him by his light, and reversed his trajectory. The oppressor went on to write most of our New Testament.

No one is too far gone for the Lord.

The life of Paul is a great testimony to the power of God. Even those most opposed to the faith convert. No one is beyond the reach of the Holy Spirit.

Who am I praying for who seems lost beyond hope? Who vehemently hates the things of God? Whose humble conversion would make waves? Who in my world needs a bolt from the blue?

We all know people like this, either loud and proud as they voice their complaints about God, or silent, brooding and angry. Pray the light of Jesus blinds them, rolls them on the ground, and pulls them in. Pray for a few more “Pauls” to walk among us today.

Galatians 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Matt Seymour