But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus.
Acts 9:27 (NASB)
Each of us needs someone to encourage, support and assist us in our walk with God and even in our daily lives. It often happens that we do not have the strength to move forward. Not because we can't, but because we need the help of someone more experienced than us to guide us and show us the way.
Paul had a bad reputation in the eyes of the apostles and Christians of his time. His encounter with Christ did not remove this reputation. Everyone feared him. Even though he had the necessary knowledge, the necessary anointing, and the convicting power of the word, they could not help him. He needed Barnabas' help to get him accepted by the apostles. Paul himself could never convince Barnabas to put up with him, but Christ knew he would need to.
Paul was not the only one in the Bible who needed someone to support him. Moses needed an Aaron to help him; Mary, the mother of Jesus, needed an Elizabeth to encourage her. Don't be afraid to call on a mature person to help you when you feel alone and discouraged. If these people who have had a spiritual experience with God needed another to encourage them, there is no shame if you and I have the same need.
May the grace and the peace of God be with you all.
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