Daily Devotional Wednesday Wisdom | July 8, 2026

It’s Wednesday, and time for your daily devotional. In Acts 13, the Holy Ghost set apart Paul and Barnabas for the ministry. They sailed to Selucia, Cyprus, and Salamis and preached the Word of God in those synagogues. Then persecution broke out. In today’s daily devotional, instead of dread, Paul and the apostles were “filled with joy.” In other words, persecution couldn’t abort their mission.

Winning Many Souls to Christ

In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas arrived in Iconium and preached, winning many souls to Christ. However, they met opposition in verse 2: “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.” There was division between the Jews and the believers. Upon hearing of plans to stone them, they left and went to Derbe and Lystra, continuing to preach the gospel.

Through Paul, Jesus healed an impotent man in Lystra; awed by God’s power, the people wanted to make Paul and Barnabas gods. In your daily devotional, lead with the gospel wherever you go; don’t double down because some refuse to listen. 

Fearless to Carry the Gospel

In verse 19, persecution from the Jews reached a high note: “There came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.” These evil men came from other territories to stir up hatred against Paul and his team. They were so filled with evil that they gathered a mob and stoned Paul.

The Bible doesn’t record anyone surviving being stoned, except Paul. In this daily devotional, imagine leaving one city to escape stoning, only to be stoned in the next one. You must be fearless to carry the gospel into hostile territories and trust that God is with you.

Rose and Came Into the City

They dragged Paul out of the city “supposing” he was dead. In other words, they thought they’d stoned him to death, which was their intent. Stoning is designed to end life. However, a divine miracle took place in verse 20: “Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” Not only did God spare Paul from death, but He also strengthened him to get up and go back into the city.

The disciples, no doubt, had formed a prayer circle around Paul, and the mighty hand of God turned what could have been a tragedy into triumph. In your daily devotional, when trials come against you, it’s good to have people around you who know how to pray and trust God to deliver you. 

Give Up on God’s Assignment?

Instead of being bitter or distraught from being stoned within an inch of his life, Paul, along with his companions, did something amazing: “They preached the gospel to that city, and after teaching many, they returned to Lystra, where he’d been stoned, and then to Iconium and Antioch.”

In this daily devotional, what would cause you to give up on God’s assignment? Persecution? No, for in all things you’re more than a conqueror. Paul didn’t give up; he was committed to the gospel despite persecution. 

Never Lose Your Joy or Abort the Mission

In Wednesday’s daily devotional, Paul returned to confirm the newly converted souls, exhorting them to continue in the faith and to endure their own tribulation to enter into God’s Kingdom. They saw the life of believers isn’t easy, but knowing God is well worth it. By example, Paul taught them not to lose their joy or abort their mission.