Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
So goes the third verse of the hymn, “What a Friend we have in Jesus.” [1]
“Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” [2]
Be of good cheer Paul. Be of good cheer you who witness for Christ.
The angel of the Lord brought this message to Paul while he was on trial due to the misdeeds of others. A mob of people who spoke louder than the law were trying to convict him based on emotion and not on the rule of law. Does that sound familiar?
“When Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.” [3]
Those who hated Paul feared the court would fail to convict him, so they planned an ambush against him to kill him. “There were more than 40 who had formed this conspiracy.” [4]
These forty conspirators told the chief priests and elders that they had bound themselves with oaths to not eat until they had killed Paul. They needed the help of the religious leaders to have Paul moved from one location to another so while in transit they could ambush and kill him. [5]
Thankfully, Paul’s nephew overheard the plot and informed Paul. Paul asked a centurion to take his young nephew to the commander. He did! The commander took the boy by his hand and gave him an opportunity to speak. The commander took the boy’s information seriously and ordered two centurions to “Prepare 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night [9 pm].” Paul was spared. The plot against him was foiled. [6]
The Lord encourages the discouraged hearts of His witnesses. Even by sending angels to speak to us! The Lord promised to bring Paul through his trial. The Lord also foiled the spiteful plot of his conspirators to kill him through the ears and loving actions of a faithful young nephew.
May the Lord be with you today!
[1] Lyrics by Joseph Scriven
[2] Acts 23:11
[3] Acts 23:16
[4] Acts 23:13
[5] Acts 23:14-15
[6] Acts 21:16-23
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