God’s Acts

When a huge project presents problems in the middle of completion, what do we do? Who do we look to? When situations arise that we cannot change or control, how do we handle it? When all is going extremely well and suddenly circumstances cause all plans of forward progression being to tumble down all around us, what do we do first? We would like to say, we look first to God in heaven who is in control, with complete peace in our hearts…but is that our FIRST impression when things go horribly wrong? Don’t we panic, first? Then cry out to God?

Paul is doing the best he can to plead his case so he won’t be killed for preaching Jesus with no holding back. Paul stands firm, but that gets him into more and more trouble. Paul is devoted but he is human. He must be a little concerned about what will happen next. The unlikely protector is the Roman captain!

To calm Paul’s nerves, the Master himself appears to Paul and that is what impresses me most this morning! He comes in the night with words of comfort and encouragement for Paul. “It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best. You’ve been a good witness for me here in Jerusalem. Now you’re going to be my witness in Rome!”

The next day the Jews plot to have Paul killed. Paul’s nephew, his sister’s son, overheard them plotting the ambush. He goes to Paul. Paul sends him to the captain with the story. The captain packs up Paul and his stuff, with hundreds of soldiers on all sides and under the protection of darkness gets Paul out of town!

Yes, it’s going to be all right. God knows where we are are and what we need most. He knows how it will all turn out for the best. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

I don’t know your situation, but I know God knows and is already at work for you, too.

(Read all of Acts 23 to see how God Acts in Paul’s life of ministry and will do the same for us.)

Off to Governor Felix…

Acts 23, The Message
We’re going to present this man safe and sound to Governor Felix.”

25-30 Then he wrote this letter:

From Claudius Lysias, to the Most Honorable Governor Felix:

Greetings!

I rescued this man from a Jewish mob. They had seized him and were about to kill him when I learned that he was a Roman citizen. So I sent in my soldiers. Wanting to know what he had done wrong, I had him brought before their council. It turned out to be a squabble turned vicious over some of their religious differences, but nothing remotely criminal.

The next thing I knew, they had cooked up a plot to murder him. I decided that for his own safety I’d better get him out of here in a hurry. So I’m sending him to you. I’m informing his accusers that he’s now under your jurisdiction.

31-33 The soldiers, following orders, took Paul that same night to safety in Antipatris. In the morning the soldiers returned to their barracks in Jerusalem, sending Paul on to Caesarea under guard of the cavalry. The cavalry entered Caesarea and handed Paul and the letter over to the governor.

34-35 After reading the letter, the governor asked Paul what province he came from and was told “Cilicia.” Then he said, “I’ll take up your case when your accusers show up.” He ordered him locked up for the meantime in King Herod’s official quarters.

What do we learn?
–God even works through unbelievers to protect His people who witness for Him!
–Stand firm. Where God guides, He provides. Cling to that promise today.

Dear Heavenly Father, When the way gets rough, You are there. You come around us with protection. You go before us preparing the way, kicking the rocks from our path. You follow behind us to catch us when we stumble and fall. You are always with us. Thank you, thank you, thank you. In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.