June 12

There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, — Acts 18:2 BSB

There is a guiding Hand that directs our movements and shapes our lives. An old English poet once wrote about what we call chance:

“It chanced—eternal God that chance did guide.”

Aquila and Priscilla came to Corinth because of hardship. But if they hadn't been there, they wouldn't have met Paul. They needed him, and he needed them, so it was a blessed "chance" that brought them together. Paul had been working in Corinth, feeling lonely and somewhat discouraged. When these two friends joined him, suddenly we read that he preached with renewed energy.

A good friend can provide a powerful push forward in anyone's life. Christ Himself is always an encourager. When Paul became discouraged again, the Lord said to him, “Don’t be afraid, but speak, for I am with you.” With this, Paul took fresh courage and preached with greater conviction.