Friday, July 30, 2021
When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. Acts 24:7
Trusting God No Matter What
At the end of Chapter 23 of Acts, Paul is taken under the cover of night to Governor Felix in Caesarea. Once again he is on trial, speaking of his faith in Jesus Christ and giving his testimony to Governor Felix. This happened off and on for two years. Paul never wavered, even though he was falsely accused:
We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him. The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
Acts 24:5-9
We know what Paul knew - that Scripture is true—not in part, but in whole. Not sometimes, but always. Knowing what you believe is one thing but living what you believe is another thing. He had to believe that with every breath or he would have gone mad. But he knew he was right where God wanted him to be. He also knew he was safe in God’s will, even though the circumstances of his life were so uncertain. He was at the mercy of man but he trusted the sovereignty of His Lord and Savior.
For 730 days he lived on faith and hope. Hope is a powerful force. Anyone’s hope would fade a little in the course of two years, but Paul did not allow Satan to take his hope and faith away. Instead his hope and faith is what pulled him through this difficult time. Paul did not know how his journey here on earth would end but he did know that the bondage he was living in was not the end of his story. He stayed focused on Christ and steadfast in his faith.
Paul was always sure in his innocence. He was not guilty and would not allow them to talk him into believing he was. His confidence in the truth helped him maintain a sound mind.
Paul was always honest to others way before every official he went before.
Paul never lost his temper. He treated everyone with the grace and dignity they deserved and because of this, he was given freedoms other prisoners did not have.
Paul trusted God’s plan and believed that the hardest times in our lives can work out for His glory. We can live with that same belief and confidence. Hard times is where our faith grows. We have to exercise our faith more in places like prison cells, or waiting for a check in the mail, or a prodigal child to come home, or a job interview. In these dark places we learn to really live in the faith we have in Jesus Christ.
What about you? Are you trusting God with your hard times? Are you sitting in a “prison cell” right now, waiting to be free? Maybe life Paul you are living in the midst of injustice. Take heart. Your Heavenly Father
When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. Acts 24:27
