Acts 23

Read Acts 23 – See God’s hand of protection beyond the detail. 

The details are bad.  Paul is on trial.  The Jews are against him.  The Politicians are curious, but don’t want the responsibility.  Discouragement would be understandable, but for God’s hand of protection…

Beloved, as you read, try to imagine being in Paul’s shoes, there was no earthly reason for him to have hope, but for Jesus, there was hope.  See Paul hold his ground when the High Priest wants him slapped, :3.  Yet when he is informed that he was speaking to the High Priest, he honors the Word of God and apologizes, :5.  Paul is sharp to recognize the division between his accusers, and use it to his advantage.  The commander sees the escalation and the soldiers are once again called in to rescue him, :10.  The Lord appeared to Paul that very night with encouragement! (:11).   The Jews form a plot to kill Paul, and bind themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until he is dead.  I wonder how they justified themselves when they failed?  Paul’s nephew overheard the plan and tipped the commander, who then sent Paul to Caesarea to meet with Governor Felix. 

Beloved, rest in the fact that God’s love is unfailing.  You may be up against humanly insurmountable odds, but Jesus’s plan and purpose will always prevail.