The only easy day was yesterday

The Navy Seals often say, “The only easy day was yesterday!” Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” He also said, “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Difficult circumstances strengthen us and prepare us for greater tasks.

The apostle Paul certainly experienced hard times. These hard times prepared him for greater success. Our Lord Jesus died and was resurrected and ascended in 30 AD. The apostle Paul was converted in 32 or 33 AD. He then spent three years in Arabia and Damascus according to Galatians 1.

From 37 to 44 AD we have seven silent years in the life of the apostle Paul. What was Paul doing those silent years? We know three facts about Paul’s experiences during those silent years.

First, he planted churches. In Acts 15 the Jerusalem Council (49 AD) sent letters to the churches in Cilicia (Acts 15:23). Paul’s hometown was Tarsus located in Cilicia. Galatians 1:21 tells us that Paul spent time in Syria and Cilicia. It is very likely that Paul planted churches during these silent years.

Second, Paul suffered persecution. 2 Corinthians 11 lists the sufferings of the great apostle. He said, “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes” (verse 24). Flogging was the punishment of the synagogue. Two thirds of the lashes were on the back. One third were on the chest of the offender. Paul preached the gospel in the synagogues and he suffered. These lashings occurred before Paul’s missionary journeys.

Verse 25 says, “Three times I was beaten with rods.” In Acts we know of one time Paul was beaten with rods. In Acts 17, in Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten with rods. “…three times I was shipwrecked…” (2 Corinthians 11:25). The shipwreck Paul experienced in Acts 27 occurred long after these silent years in his life.

Third, the apostle received a vision of heaven. In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul mentions this vision. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in 55 AD. 2 Corinthians 12:2 says that his vision occurred 14 years before he wrote 2 Corinthians. This places Paul’s vision during the silent years in his life.

God used these silent years to prepare Paul for greater ministry. Antioch was perhaps the greatest church in the New Testament. Paul’s three great missionary journeys originated from the church in Antioch.

In Acts 11 the good news of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection spread to the city of Antioch. Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire. Many estimate there were 500,000 people in Antioch.

Barnabas discipled the Gentile believers in Antioch. Barnabas needed help. The task was too great for one person. Acts 11:25 says, “And he (Barnabas) left for Tarsus to look for Saul (the apostle Paul).” The phrase “look for” in Greek implies difficulty. Barnabas had difficulty locating the apostle Paul. In Philippians 3:8 Paul said that he “…suffered the loss of all things…” for the sake of the Lord Jesus. His salvation cost him everything.

Shortly after this Paul began his missionary journeys. His first missionary journey was from 45-49 AD and covered 1,400 miles. His second missionary journey was from 50-52 AD and spanned 2,800 miles. His third missionary journey was the longest. It lasted from 53-58 AD and covered 2,700 miles.

God used the difficult silent years to prepare Paul for greater service. Romans 5:3 — 4 says, “And not only this, but we also rejoice in our tribulations (pressure), knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope….”

Tough, difficult training (like the Navy Seals) produces tenacity, perseverance and endurance. Proven character means veteran status. Suffering moves us from being rookies to tested veterans. Hope means that our salvation is real. Hard times test our faith. A faith which cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. When a person suffers and remains true to the faith it demonstrates that he or she is a true follower of the Lord Jesus.

God used the silent years to mold and shape the apostle Paul. God is using hard times in your life to prepare you for greater glory. The hard times of the Great Depression prepared a generation to fight and win in World War II. God is working in your life today. No time is wasted with the Lord Jesus. Let’s trust Him, keep moving forward and rejoicing in God’s plan for our lives.

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.