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Acts 14:14-28
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
Winston Churchill gave a speech at his school, Harrow, having been there 10 months prior during the height of the Blizt on London. Reflecting on the need for tenacious perseverance he said, “…never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
I wish it was not true, but it seems that the devil had long before adopted that approach to his evil wiles and ways. Barnabas and Paul will go from place to place sharing the good news of Jesus. They will be met by some with good will and open hearts. But Satan will never leave it at that. He is a dedicated adversary, set for our demise and God’s dishonor. He will use religious people and pagan governments to do his bidding. However he might, he will steal, kill, and destroy.
That is true not only in the arena of God’s mission, in the church, and in the world. It is also true in the hearts and minds of God’s people. He is, as Peter says, a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Sometimes the onslaught is direct and vicious. Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead. Sometimes he is more deceitful and cunning. These enemies of the gospel gather proxies to do their bidding.
Jesus taught his disciples that they should be persevere in prayer and not lose heart (Luke 18:1-8). The basis of that persistence is the character and nature of God. He is good and gives good gifts to his children. But the implied urgency is that Satan is evil and dedicated to our destruction.
So just as Satan never gives up, neither should we. Ours will be the victory in the end. Ours will be the joy at the last. We will celebrate with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven. We must not let down our guard and allow Satan to prevail.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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