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.”
Paul was going through an incredibly difficult time. His arrival in Jerusalem had
sparked a riot and the Roman authorities struggled to know what to do with him.
They didn’t know how to handle religious disputes and so they tried to hand the
matter over to the Jewish council. However, when Paul appeared before them the
meeting soon descended into chaos. The Roman commander who was watching the
proceedings thought that Paul was in danger of being torn apart and so he ordered
his soldiers to rescue him and take him back into protective custody. By this time,
they had discovered that he was a Roman citizen and so knew they had to be very
careful with Paul (see vv1–10).
In the midst of this confusing and dangerous situation, God spoke to Paul confirming
the fact that his witness would continue and would even take him to Rome itself,
which was the heart of the great Roman Empire. Paul could have no idea how that
word was going to be fulfilled. In that moment he didn’t need to know. All he needed
was to have the encouragement that he was doing God’s will, and that God had a
definite purpose for his life. The next few chapters of Acts will reveal that the road
ahead was going to be incredibly tough, but God’s will was fulfilled and Paul was able
to take the good news to Rome.
I would love to tell you that your future is going to be free of difficulties. But I’m not
going to, because it wouldn’t be true. God never makes such promises. What he
promises, as we serve him in this sinful and sad world, is that he will be with us and
that he has got vital work for us to do. That should be a massive encouragement for
us, and should enable us to face the future with confidence and peace.
Question
Do you look to the future with confidence?
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you that my future is completely secure in your hands. Amen
