Every seeming hindrance stacked against God in this world—our sin and weakness, the world’s brokenness, every evil power—cannot ultimately stop the steamroller of God’s love from advancing in our lives and to the nations. Consider his promise through Malachi: “For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations” (Mal. 1:11). God’s name “will be great among the nations”—not because he removes every earthly hindrance, but because no single hindrance we experience is strong enough to impede the gospel’s spread.

Taken out of context, biblical promises can have the earmarks of prosperity preaching or even bad political propaganda. Presidential-election years inundate us with overhyped propaganda, delivered through yard signs, billboards, commercials, hats and T-shirts—all promising a brighter future.

The gospel promise that’s become precious to me, however, has more grit and hope than any election propaganda or prosperity sermon could offer:

[Paul] lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:30–31)

In the last few chapters of Acts, Paul moves from jail to jail and trial to trial as various officials sort out what to do with him. But here’s what I love: Luke signs off by letting us know that the gospel of the kingdom is being proclaimed “with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31).

No Hindrances?

But didn’t Paul have many hindrances? He’s imprisoned! Sure, house arrest is no maximum-security prison, but Paul still had to rent his own room as well as buy his own food and clothes and ministry supplies. These sure sound like hindrances, especially if you can’t leave the house.

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