Daily Reading: Acts 21-23
Acts 23:11
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
The balance of the Book of Acts is an exciting read. It is like an adventure book. The entire book is one of treachery, deceit, opposition, wicked alliances, and suspense, but the last few chapters, well…you’ll see.
As you read the balance of this book keep this in mind. If Paul could have been killed by any means before he ever arrived in Rome to testify of Christ, the Bible would have been destroyed. For one of its prophecies would have failed. You see, in Romans 1:10 the Apostle Paul wrote: Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. He seems to communicate that it was the will of God that he personally testify of Christ and His Gospel in Rome. This is fortified by today’s verse wherein the Lord said to Paul directly …must thou bear witness also in Rome. So everything that comes after today’s verse, all the means by which the enemies of God tried to kill Paul, was an attempt to destroy God’s Word on the matter.
The book of Romans was written around 56-57 AD. Paul arrived in Rome probably in 60 AD. For three or four years it was open season on this man, every attempt to end his life before he arrived in Rome was unsuccessful though. Which brings us to this point. A life lived for God is indestructible until that person’s work for the Lord is complete. This truth is proven over and over throughout the entire Bible. The key is to stay in His will, doing His work, whatever manner of work He has for you, and finish. Then He will promote you to glory for a wonderful experience that frankly could never be fully described or understood on this earth.
Paul did make it to Rome. Just keep that in mind as you read this tremendous adventure story. Just as God said to Isaiah, just as God did for Paul, is just as He will do for those today who stay within His will. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:17
You are invincible until your holy calling for this life is over. In this, one can find rest for the worrisome mind.
Until tomorrow, live for Christ today.