by Tim Hall

You would think that the Apostle Paul would be in complete control. After all of the trials and difficulties he had suffered, he surely would have a handle on fear and doubts by now. But this great servant of God still needed strength at times. Where could he get it?

By the last chapter of Acts, Paul had been through so much. He had often been beaten, imprisoned, rejected by his own kinsmen, and had just survived a shipwreck from a fearful storm. Ahead of him, however, was a date with the Emperor, Caesar Augustus. A visit with the Roman ruler was not a pleasant appointment. The Caesars guarded their power with cold and ruthless means, and theirs were not normally sympathetic ears.

The skyline of Rome was in sight when Luke provided us with these details: "And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage" (Acts 28:15, NKJV).

Brethren coming together - is that such a big deal? It is when you are involved in a struggle, as Paul on this occasion was. And, in case you hadn't checked lately, struggles are still a part of life. Like the storm that wrecked Paul's ship, trials blow into our lives without warning. We may feel as if we are cast overboard, straining just to keep our heads above water. How we need courage in such situations! But where can it be found?

Our text shows that courage can come from people. We find courage, just as Paul did, by being with others who believe as we do, who have weathered crises in their lives, who compassionately reach out to help us. It's important that brethren keep up their habit of coming together.

The writer of Hebrews understood this principle and urged Christians to regularly practice it. In pressing his readers to endure, he wrote, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:24,25). He didn't order church attendance for the sake of big numbers; he exhorted brethren to practice active fellowship as a matter of survival!

Often when I attend worship and Bible study assemblies, my life is going well. I am joyful and confident, able to offer courage to others who are there. Occasionally, though, I stand on the other side of the transaction. Instead of being in a position to give encouragement, I am the one who needs it. What better place to find the strength needed than with people who draw their strength from the Lord?

Philo, a Jewish philosopher who was a contemporary of the apostles, once wrote: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." That is a good reason to make assembling with the saints a high priority. Often we can help others just by being present; sometimes we're the ones who will be helped.