Acts 22 - 01.26.23
SCRIPTURE: Acts 22: 6-8 TPT
As I was on the road approaching Damascus, about noon, a brilliant heavenly light suddenly appeared, flashing all around me. As I fell to the ground I heard a voice say, ‘Saul, Saul . . . why are you persecuting me?’ “I answered, ‘Who are you, my Lord?’
“He said to me, ‘I AM Jesus, the [ Nazarene] Victorious. I AM the ONE you are persecuting.’”
OBSERVATION:
Paul had returned to Jerusalem [knowing trouble awaited him 21:13] and gave a beautifully detailed report of ALL God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. The Jerusalem Church rejoiced and praised God. However, it was also shared with Paul that some rumors were circulating that he had been teaching Jewish Believers to disregard the Law of Moses and circumcision. To squash these false accusations a simple plan was recommended which Paul agreed to. Only the well intentioned plan went very very south. When Paul entered the Temple a few people misunderstood what they ‘thought they saw’ and incited an entire mob into a riot resulting in Paul’s near death and subsequent arrest.
UNDERSTANDING:
God’s Plans Prevail
What was the purpose of all this? Paul had been told that Trouble awaited him in Jerusalem—and Paul said he was ready to die if that was God’s plan. But, in fact—much more ministry awaited Paul—but God only revealed one part of each step at a time.
The commander allowed Paul to speak to the crowd in the arena hoping for clarification. What happened—
Paul shared his testimony. All of it—with Courage and Conviction in front of the mob that would then shout, “kill him”.
BUT…
it was part of God’s Plan that Paul would witness again AND again—AND to people he could never have met—had he not been wrongly arrested that day. Passionate Paul eventually went all the way to Rome to share his testimony.
LIFE APPLICATION:
Trusting God for the GREATER..
My takeaway…I’m trying to figure out how I express this. What I want to glean is that a simple plan was devised to help Paul mesh with the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem who were under a misunderstanding about what Paul was teaching. In order to bring Peace and Unity—Paul agrees to this simple plan—that—Backfires!….or does it???
Paul ends up arrested. This is not the end-or death-however. This is the BEGINNING—God is using Paul in a new way to deliver his testimony to people in very high places! Paul gives his testimony to King Herod Agrippa (Acts 26) and then Paul is sent to Rome.
LORD Jesus,
I pray to Trust you in ALL things no matter how the circumstances look. Your ways are higher and thoughts are far beyond anything I can possibly imagine. May I CLING to you—and like Paul—be prepared—always—to give a reason for the hope I have IN You—Knowing your Plans are Greater…and beyond anything I can dare hope or imagine. My life is yours. amen.
“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore Him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.” (Proverbs 3:5-7 TPT)
Tina L Kudelka