After his miraculous conversion to the Christian faith, Paul retreated to Arabia for three years.

We can only imagine how Paul filled the days, months, and years.

And today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall invites us to consider the wisdom of Paul's

self-imposed retreat. As our biography on Paul continues, we'll turn in our Bibles, not to the Book

of Acts, but to Paul's letter to the Galatians. It's here we find a priceless glimpse into the

heart of Paul. Chuck titled his message,

The Necessity of Solitude, Quietness, and Obscurity.

We're studying the life of Paul, and we've jumped from the book of Acts over to the first

chapter of the letter to the Galatians. If you'll turn in your Bible, let me read just

a few verses here. Galatians chapter 1, verses 11 to 17. Watch closely, especially as we

get down near the comment made in 17.

Paul is writing of his own life, I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man,

for I neither received it from man nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism how I used to persecute the Church

of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries

among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when he who

had set me apart, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal

his son in me that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult

with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went

away to Arabia and returned once more to Damascus.

You're listening to Insight for Living.

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