Sometimes the things we "know" in our heads isn't how we see things actually work out in reality. And sometimes the Truth we read in the Bible isn't what we see (yet) in our reality. Psalm 9 and 10 are perfect Psalms to help us process through this.
As Paul and Barnabas travel to Antioch, they are invited to speak at a synagogue. Paul launches into his first recorded sermon, and proclaims that God’s promises to Abraham and David are fulfilled in Jesus Christ! The blessing to Abraham in Genesis 12 pointed to Jesus, forgiving our sins and justifying us through his death & resurrection.
The focus now shifts from Peter and James to Barnabas and Saul, with Saul/Paul being the main character from here on out. The gospel continues to spread, made up of these key items – Worship, Obedient Faith, Community, Discipleship, and Readiness for Spiritual Warfare.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a prime candidate for fear, anxiety, and worry. But she was also a prime candidate for faith. You probably are too.
When his life was threatened, Elijah ran for the desert. Maybe he thought no one would find him there. Maybe he thought the idea of dying by dehydration and starvation would be better than getting killed by the Queen. Scripture doesn’t tell us what he was thinking, other than that he wanted out.