R³ Devotional - Day 347
R³ Devotional - Day 347 - Acts 23-26
By: Carole Rinehart
Think of an experience you have had that has shaken you to the core. The death of a loved one, a devastating divorce, a terrible illness, these things change our lives. For Christians, the changing of our lives to look more like Christ. There comes a moment in these times when we just need a word of comfort. I believe this is what Paul must have felt in Acts 23:11. “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome’” (ESV).
Claudius Lysias brought Paul to the Jewish council to find out why a Jewish mob tried to kill him.
Paul stood before the council and declared that he had been living in accordance with God's will. Ananias, the high priest, commanded someone to hit Paul on the mouth.
Paul knew that the Jewish council was composed of Pharisees and Sadducees and that the two groups were strongly divided over the question of resurrection from the dead, so he said, “It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” Well, that set off one big fight over the word resurrection. A Roman commander escorted Paul back to the barracks.
But the following night Paul was discouraged. He had the opportunity to preach to a huge crowd of attentive Jews on the Temple Mount, and it ended in failure. Then he had the opportunity to preach to the influential Jewish council, and it also ended in a fistfight. Then the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
Jesus knew where Paul was; He had not lost sight of Paul because he was in jail. God knows where you are today; even if you aren’t sure and you feel alone, God knows.
The timing of this promise was especially precious. It didn’t look like Paul would get out of Jerusalem alive; much less make it to Rome. God not only knows what we need to hear; He knows when we need to hear it.
The Lord’s assurance meant much to Paul during the next two years. He went back to work and dealt with yet more drama, assassins. Yet, that little situation got him out of Jerusalem and closer to the day he would appeal to Cesar, and eventually, to testify in Rome.
Our great temptation is to quit or go backward, but if we remain still, listening for his voice, God will insert something of himself into our character that will mark the rest of our journey with him. Therein lies our hope for survival. It is what God produces in our lives. (Mike Dente)
Blessings,
Carole
Claudius Lysias brought Paul to the Jewish council to find out why a Jewish mob tried to kill him.
Paul stood before the council and declared that he had been living in accordance with God's will. Ananias, the high priest, commanded someone to hit Paul on the mouth.
Paul knew that the Jewish council was composed of Pharisees and Sadducees and that the two groups were strongly divided over the question of resurrection from the dead, so he said, “It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” Well, that set off one big fight over the word resurrection. A Roman commander escorted Paul back to the barracks.
But the following night Paul was discouraged. He had the opportunity to preach to a huge crowd of attentive Jews on the Temple Mount, and it ended in failure. Then he had the opportunity to preach to the influential Jewish council, and it also ended in a fistfight. Then the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
Jesus knew where Paul was; He had not lost sight of Paul because he was in jail. God knows where you are today; even if you aren’t sure and you feel alone, God knows.
The timing of this promise was especially precious. It didn’t look like Paul would get out of Jerusalem alive; much less make it to Rome. God not only knows what we need to hear; He knows when we need to hear it.
The Lord’s assurance meant much to Paul during the next two years. He went back to work and dealt with yet more drama, assassins. Yet, that little situation got him out of Jerusalem and closer to the day he would appeal to Cesar, and eventually, to testify in Rome.
Our great temptation is to quit or go backward, but if we remain still, listening for his voice, God will insert something of himself into our character that will mark the rest of our journey with him. Therein lies our hope for survival. It is what God produces in our lives. (Mike Dente)
Blessings,
Carole
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