Acts 23

The Scripture reading for today is Acts 23.  To access this Scripture, click here:

Acts 23:11, That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”

Early on in this chapter, we find Paul speaking before the high council and things aren't going well.  He gets slapped by the high priest and there is violent disagreement on the council how to deal with him.  The discord is so bad that Paul actually has to leave the location. Paul's fate seems uncertain at best.  And then, when all seems lost, God speaks clearly to Paul, telling him to be encouraged, for this would not be the end; he would carry the message of the Gospel all the way to Rome! 

I read this chapter and it immediately brought to mind what Paul himself writes to the Romans in 8:28, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  Paul has been through so much at this point, including fear, extreme discomfort, and physical pain.  He probably thought Jerusalem was going to be the end for him and he was at peace with that.  But God had something else in mind.  God wanted to use Paul's bold witness to bring the Gospel further, to higher levels of government, so that more could believe.  What seems like desperate times to humans, God can redeem for his own purposes. 

What has God redeemed in your life?  I know that in the midst of dire circumstances, it is often difficult to see God at work.  But later, when we have perspective, we can see how God took what was dark and ugly and brought something good from it.  I should say that bringing something good out of a painful situation doesn't mean fixing it for us but rather demonstrating his glory.  This is sometimes hard for us to wrap our human brains around.  I think it takes lots of prayer and lots of trust.

Let's pray...Almighty God, help us increase our trust in you.  In the middle of hard life circumstances, we trust that you will take what is dark and use it for your good.  For many people out there reading this, please give them the gift of seeing your hand at work in and through the most difficult times of their lives.  Let them see how you make all things work together for the good of those who love you.  We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.