Thought for the Week

Scriptures to REad:

Acts 23:11

Acts 23:12-15

Acts 23:16-18

Acts 23:19-22

Acts 23:23-30

Acts 23:31-35

Isaiah 11:6-9

Paul had been warned, wept over, and pled with not to go to Jerusalem because it was known trouble, perhaps including arrest, chains, and death awaited him there. Still, he felt a tremendous desire to go and celebrate his Hebrew heritage as a Christian. We have found him in a riot, rescue, – riot, rescue, – riot, rescue, situation. He depended on his Roman citizenship to get him out of terrible trouble. He is now resting as a prisoner in the Roman barracks.

The Roman Commander, Claudius Lysias, is doing everything in his power to understand what is happening, so he might be able to bring a charge against someone in these circumstances. Paul may have begun to feel the pressures defeat can bring. But in the middle of the night, something wonderful and amazing happens.

The Lord appears at Paul's side. Paul may have felt failure but the Lord commends him for faithfulness. Unfortunately many people feel success is the only victory. Not so. God does not require success but He does require faithfulness. For this Christ commends him and tells him that as he has been faithful in his testimony, he will have more opportunities to testify before authorities.

There is a group of 40-plus Hebrew men who Pledge they will not eat or drink until Paul is dead; plan how to do this with the aid of the Jewish leadership requesting the Roman Commander to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin again; plot to assassinate Paul on his way to that meeting. No doubt they felt their Pledge-Plan-Plot would work.

It might have except somehow a young lad, nephew of Paul, overheard it. He went to Uncle Paul and told him. Paul alerted the Roman Centurion, who in turn took the boy to the Roman Commander. Immediately a counter plan was put into effect. The Commander summons some 400 foot soldiers and 70 mounted cavalrymen to escort Paul to Caesarea and the Roman Governor. The odds have suddenly shifted from 40-1 against Paul to 470-40 in his favor.

A letter is prepared from the Roman Commander to the Roman Governor explaining the situation. That's the human side of the equation yet we dare not forget the Almighty God is overseeing His child of the faith as well. The 400 foot soldiers accompany Paul for the first 25 miles in a forced night march to the city of Antipatris then return to their barracks. The next 45 miles Paul is accompanied by the 70 cavalrymen. He arrives safely. Immediately the Governor gives Paul lodging in the palace. He sets in motion to bring Paul to trial in the face of his accusers.

So often we see things through only human eyes and expect defeat. But we must always remember God is still on His throne. He not only has time but eternity to work out His perfect will for Paul's life. What is true for Paul is also true for you and for me. Human days may be dark and gloomy but the Day of the Lord will arrive with a blaze of the glory of the Almighty God and He will make all things right.