Acts 14:24-28 :

They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations. They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.

Paul and Barnabas had a very difficult but productive time while they were traveling and preaching. Almost everywhere they went, they were mistreated and Paul was even left for dead but God worked through him until their job was complete.

One thing I can understand from this passage is that God doesn’t make people work all the time. He also provides times of rest and encouragement. Paul and Barnabas were able to stay “there with the disciples for a long time” after the trip was over.

It was also an encouraging time for the disciples too as they shared all of the amazing things that God had done through Paul and Barnabas. I am sure that there were many disciples in Antioch praying every day for Paul and Barnabas as they were on their trip. It must have been very encouraging for them to find out about the amazing things that had happened.

It was also important for the disciples in Antioch to have time to learn from Paul as God had been giving him teaching about Grace. We have these words written in our Bible but the Christians in Antioch didn’t have those words written down yet. It is a great privilege for us to be able to read God’s words anytime that we wish.