Acts 23. 08.20.26
SCRIPTURE
“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.” (Acts 23:11)
OBSERVATION
Paul was a man well acquainted with persecution. Upon his conversion, Jesus had made clear to him that “he would be afflicted and endure suffering for HIS Name’s Sake” (Acts 9:16). Up to this point in Paul’s life, he had been stripped and beaten severely with rods, locked in dark underground prisons in chains (16:24), and dragged out of a city by an angry mob and stoned—left for dead, though he survived (14:19). Paul had been flogged, had nearly escaped death, was falsely persecuted, and run out of town countless times.
Here he is in Jerusalem on a mission to share all the amazing things God had done. Countless Gentiles received salvation. These Gentile believers sent their gift with Paul to give to this impoverished and persecuted Jerusalem church. There is little mention of this gift (24:17). Instead, there is a request for Paul to perform a ritual to appease the legalistic Jews who believed he had diverted and strayed from “the Law.” Paul graciously agrees, but the plan doesn’t work.
“Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures.” (Proverbs 19:21 NAB)
In this one portion of the story, we see how many times God supernaturally intervenes:
1. At the Temple, Paul is being beaten and is about to be killed. But God sends a Gentile Roman commander—at just the right time—with a squad of 200 to stop the mob. They must chain Paul between two guards and lift him onto their shoulders because the mob is so intent on killing him.
2. Paul stands before the Jewish Council. “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say by the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 10:19). But God inspires Paul to speak about his belief in the resurrection. This stops the meeting in its tracks when a violent conflict breaks out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, who hold opposing beliefs on resurrection. The Roman commander intervenes again, removing Paul to safety and returning him to his cell.
3. Paul could be easily discouraged at this point. But God lovingly and mercifully comes to Paul in a vision, saying, “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.” (Acts 23:11) In the midst of the storm—Jesus supernaturally comes to encourage Paul.
4. A small, important nugget. Once again, there is a plot underway to kill Paul, orchestrated by a band of zealots in league with the Jewish council. Paul’s sister and young nephew learn of it.
But God. God uses Paul’s young nephew (a boy we have never heard about before—and never hear about again) for this one special assignment: to go tell the Roman commander the details of the assassination plot. The commander listens, believes the young boy, and has Paul immediately and safely transported that evening out of Jerusalem to Caesarea.
APPLICATION
But God
The series we are currently in has caused me to understand a perspective I haven't focused on before: everything in our life is, "But God." I see it in this Scripture and I see it looking back over my life.
I wanted, and fully intended, to be an actress, following in my mother's footsteps. I got a part-time job at Broadway Northridge in sales. Nothing about that job would have deterred my plans, except that one day a cosmetic beauty advisor called in sick, and I was given the opportunity to work in Cosmetics. It changed my life.
For the first time, I had the opportunity to put everything I had learned from studio makeup artists into action. I sat everyone in my chair and told them how beautiful they were. It became a mission for me because I grew up with a gorgeous mom and never felt pretty myself. I saw the difference I could make in how women felt about themselves. That afternoon, the manager came down with a sales report and loudly announced that I had sold more than anyone else in the department.
Long story short, I went to Joseph Magnin and secured a permanent part-time position in Cosmetics while finishing my degree. Six months later, they created a Department Manager position for me. I went on to spend 27 years in Executive Management.
When I became ill, God wasn't done with me. He moved me into sewing. My husband and I started a small cottage business teaching heirloom sewing. During that season, God allowed both of us to minister to people through our work. Looking back, I can see He was preparing me for ministry.
I served on staff at Church on the Way for four years as an administrative assistant, and later, when I came to Desert Streams, I joined Pastor Gary on staff. Now I am in my fifth year serving as a remote Chaplain to more than 19 companies.
I am in complete awe of what God has done. I never saw it coming. I wanted to be an actress. That was my dream from the time I was a little girl. I am so thankful that God had a better plan. But God.
Even when everything seemed to be going wrong—even when I was diagnosed with an incurable auto immune disorder—this thorn in my side allowed me the blessing to be home to provide caregiving for both my mom and mother-in-law for nearly eight years. But God.
In my twenties, I went through a brief season of drifting when I dated someone who was not a believer. Our relationship became serious, and we talked about marriage. But God. I am so deeply thankful that God intervened in a supernatural way to close that door and end the relationship.
“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. For God knew His people in advance, and HE chose them to be like His SON…” (Romans 8:28-29)
God will give us His Holy Spirit utterance—when needed, God will give us His Encouragement when needed, God will bring people at that right time and right places to assist us, sometimes even using those who might seem least likely or inexperienced. God is Sovereignly Moving—working out every single detail of our lives—and preparing us for Eternity. Where Real Life Begins.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth—Store your treasures—in heaven” (Matthew 6:19,20)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for Your Love that will always be greater than I will ever be able to comprehend. Thank You that Your Plans are perfect. Your Plans are so much better than anything I will ever understand. As the heavens are Higher—so are Your ways. Thank You for teaching me through Your word. Thank You for so many godly examples of faithful servants—and for so many new things to learn no matter how many times I read. There is so much to learn. Help me to lay down my expectations of how I think things should look. Help me to surrender to You. How will I ever experience Your Supernatural treasures if I am not willing to wade into the deeper waters. Help me to continue to be walking further and further away from worldly ties that seek to bind me; ambitions, earthly treasures, may they not have a hold on me. I desire to live for You. Show me the Way—Jesus—in this new season. Melt me, Mold me, FILL me, Use me.
In Jesus Name, amen.
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth to and fro—searching for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him—that HE may fully support them.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Tina L Kudelka