Daily Devotional

“After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila … with his wife Priscilla … and he came to them” (Acts 18:1–3). 

Begun in 2006 and completed almost four years later, the Khan Shatyr is considered by many to be the world’s largest tent and is big enough to hold ten football stadiums with room to spare. Located in Astana, Kazakhstan, it stands 500 feet high and covers about thirty-five acres; the roof rises to aspire in the centre and is constructed of a material that allows sunlight to enter. Inside the Khan Shatyr there are streets, a shopping centre, a river with boats, a park, and even an indoor beach resort, complete with a tropical lagoon surrounded by sand and palm trees. In the harsh region where temperatures sometimes plummet to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, the interior remains a comfortable refuge at 59 to 86 degrees. 

Tents on a much humbler scale have been around a long time—almost as long as humans—and their popularity endures. Millions of nomadic people, hunters, campers, and hikers still use tents as portable dwellings. 

Back in Paul’s day, of course, tents were handmade by tradespeople. Aquila and his wife Priscilla—like the apostle—were skilled tentmakers. And like Paul, they used their trade to support themselves and finance their evangelistic efforts. 

Aquila and Priscilla had been expelled from Rome by Emperor Claudius and eventually settled in the city of Corinth. There, this outstanding Christian couple who specialized in providing shelter for others graciously opened their home to Paul for about a year and a half. Later, they accompanied him on at least one of his missionary journeys. When they were at home in Corinth, they continued their outreach by hosting regular church services in their home. Paul considered Aquila and Priscilla some of his dearest friends and referred to them as his “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3). 

Aquila and Priscilla were humble people open to God’s leading. And that’s precisely why He was able to use them to greatly advance His kingdom and expand His church. 

Dear Lord, help me to have a humble heart that I may be used to reach others for Your kingdom.