Joshua spoke: "Be strong and courageous." My Bible study group is in Acts this week.
Acts is so full of bold testimonies to God's power, sovereignty and faithfulness. The Jewish leaders wanted to destroy the witnesses to our risen Lord. Paul came late to the party, but when he switched teams, he was one of the boldest of all.
So many times, he should have been dead. So many plots were against him. Only God knows the number of our days and the method of our exit from this life.
In Acts 23, his Jewish brothers are determined to put an end to the Paul problem. His nephew caught wind of the plan and went to Paul and the Roman authorities. They had Paul transferred to Rome. What looked like a plan to protect a prisoner was really another opportunity for the Good News to be spread. This time in Rome.
"The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” - Acts 23:11
Do you think Paul's response was "Really? Don't you have a better idea?" Paul went as he was commanded, a Prisoner of the Gospel... an Ambassador in Chains.
Paul always inspires me. He sets quite a bar for boldness. We can know that if God sends us, we can be encouraged and go with courage.
Today, I am grateful we can have courage.
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