Acts 23: 10-11 (NLT) “As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress. 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.'”
When I think about first century Christians who were responsible for spreading the Good News, Paul is the first person who comes to my mind. He was so zealous for God’s word that I picture him to be someone who people were automatically drawn to, but if you read Acts, you know that was not always the case. Paul suffered so many hardships and yet he always continued forward in the Lord’s work. Paul was putting God first in his life, the work the Lord gave him came before his own safety, before his comfort, before his own wants and desires; he placed God above everything else in his life. In the 23rd chapter of Acts, Paul’s life and his mission were in jeopardy. The chapter before he was giving his testimony of his encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus. And the crowd was listening up until he told them the Lord said “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!” This deeply offended the Jews, and they were ready to take his life. He was taken before the “high council” where once again conflict broke out, and in order to keep him from being killed the soldiers were ordered to take him into custody. Have you ever noticed that Paul often ends up in dangerous situations? There are those throughout the centuries and throughout the world who have knowingly place themselves in dangerous situations in order to share the message of salvation. Just like Paul they placed God before everything else in their lives. That doesn’t mean they never became discouraged or that they never had moments of fear or anxiety. But I’m sure they, like Paul, knew God was always with them. He brings us courage and strength when facing threatening situations and will enable us to finish the work He has called us to do. That night while Paul laid there possibly considering what was to come, the Lord appeared to him and told him to be encouraged. That he would have the opportunity to preach in Rome just as the Holy Spirit had compelled him to do (Acts 19:21). God is with us always, just as He was with Paul, no matter where we are or what is happening in our lives – He is there. Until next time may God bless you and bring peace to your heart.