Thursday, June 11, 2015

Paul was falsely accused when he went to deliver a love offering to the church in Jerusalem from churches in Turkey, Macedonia and Greece. This resulted in a riot breaking out, and he was rescued and taken captive by Roman soldiers. When brought before the Sanhedrin he sought to give a defense, but the opposition opposed his testimony and became violent. Again he was rescued by the soldiers. In Acts 23:11 it says, “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said. ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” God affirmed his witness in Jerusalem, even though there was no record of a positive response to it. God also assured him that he was going to live long enough to go to Rome and testify to his faith in Rome, which was one of his heart-felt desires and prayers. Interestingly, Paul was hustled off from Jerusalem to Caesarea during the night so that a planned ambush was frustrated. His nephew heard about the planned ambush and shared it with Paul and the Soldiers. God didn’t promise Paul an easy road. In fact, he was stuck in prison in Caesarea for 3 years. This restraint of his activities had to be hard for this driven man. Then, when he did travel to Rome, it was as a prisoner. The trip was very difficult, including a shipwreck. But what God promised in the night was fulfilled – Paul got to Rome and testified there faithfully. During this journey it seemed God did more at night than in the day.