Acts 23 - 1.27.23

Scripture

Acts 23:11

 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Observation – What does it say?

After making the most of every opportunity to share the gospel, preaching to crowd after crowd who were opposed to him – the crowd of Jews at the temple in Jerusalem, then to the Sanhedrin (Jewish religious leaders), many wanted him dead. To save him, the Roman commander put him in the barracks. At night, the Lord stood near Paul and spoke to him. In the face of opposition, threats and imprisonment God told him to take courage and spoke to him about His future plans for him.

Right after this word from God, Paul finds out that 40 men swore an oath to not eat anything until they had killed him.

Understanding – What does it mean?

God knew that Paul would need that word to hold on to! God’s word and his promises become anchors for us. Waves will come. Opposition will come. Distraction will come. Fear will come. And when it does, like Paul, God has given us promises in his word to hold onto. His desire is not for us to shrink back in fear but to rise up in faith and courage, even when circumstances look the worst.

I can’t help but be reminded of one of our church values: Faith and hope are our lens. Regardless of outward circumstances, we choose to cling to our faith in our God who is working all things together for the good of those who love him. We align with the hope of heaven that will not disappoint us.

Life Application

Remind myself of God’s words to me and take courage! He has never failed me and he’s not going to start now.

God, you have given me promises in your word and also dreams and prophetic words about my future and the future of Desert Streams. You knew trials and challenges would come and attempt to bring discouragement and fear and worry, so you gave these words to provide courage. Thank you for being so good to me! I receive your courage today and put my faith in you. You will certainly prove yourself faithful to every word you have spoken.

No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. If you are for me, who can be against me! The gates of hell will not prevail against your church. We will go from glory to glory until we appear before you in heaven. Our God will indeed give what is good and our land will yield it’s harvest. Hallelujah and Amen.

-Levi Thompson