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“So we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us…whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage” (Acts 28:14-15).
Before Paul was ever placed on a ship bound for Rome, the Lord had appeared to him and told him that he would reach Rome, and witness for Him there. However, Paul had to pass through many hardships in order to get to Italy, nor did he know for sure how his trial before Caesar would go. As any other man would be, he was probably somewhat concerned, although he trusted in the Lord.
It was surely a real cheer to him to find brethren in Christ at various points along the way, who took the trouble to come and meet up with him, and to encourage him. As a result, Paul “thanked God, and took courage.” Sometimes we do not realize how much meeting up with other believers encourages them, even though we may not say much. Whether these brethren said much to Paul is not recorded in Scripture, but the very fact that they took the trouble to come and meet him meant a lot to him. He was encouraged as he journeyed toward Rome, for much of his time along the way had to be spent in the company of unbelievers. But the Lord knew that His servant needed encouragement, and graciously provided it for him.
We too can be a help and an encouragement to other believers in this world, and especially those who may be in difficulty, or those who are being persecuted. Sometimes a short message can mean much to those in this kind of trouble, and particularly for them to know that we are praying for them.
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