Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra, Turkey.  There a lame man from birth had been made well. At the words of Paul, “Stand upright on your feet,” the man stood and he walked for the very first time in his life.  How did the crowds react?

Events then…
(NASB) Acts 14:11 “when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have become like men and have come down to us.’
12 And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out
15 and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things?  We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God…”

Paul and Barnabas were aghast!  No, no, no, we are not gods, we are men like you.  Such were the events at that point in time.

Events today…
What events are happening in your country…today?  Perhaps there are riots, avalanches, earthquakes, super-cell tornados, wars, government leaders’ actions or non-actions, terrorist activities, or other tragic events.  There is much evil in the world and it shows in the events of today. There was much evil in the world at the time of Paul and Barnabas also.

You and I have no power, or strength, or even much influence against the powers of natural events, political events, or the agendas of evil forces unleashed in the world today.

But, but as followers of Christ, we have an All-powerful, All-knowing, All-seeing God.  He is living and active.  The Creator God is our God!  He is the living, personal, eternal God Whom we worship.  This is the God Paul pointed to in the events of his day.

When events seem out of control…what can we, whose faith is in the living Lord Jesus Christ, do?  To paraphrase Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the Lord our God.
Don’t be defeated by looking at the events.
Acknowledge our Savior and Lord Jesus.
Know that He will make our paths straight…keep looking to Him and His word!
Do not give up: never, never, never, ever give up on God!

Paul and Barnabas pointed to Messiah, to the good news of Jesus Christ, crucified, buried, risen from the grave…Jesus is the One they pointed to as they preached.

To whom do you point as you speak of your faith?