It was no less
a Person than the Lord Jesus Christ that spoke to Paul the apostle on the next
phase of his ministry. That night the
Lord stood by Paul and said, "Don't be afraid! You have given your witness
for me here in Jerusalem, and you must also do the same in Rome." Acts 23:11(GNB). Yet for two
years he was left in jail by the Governor Felix who wanted a bribe from him. He
might have reasoned, “Look, here I am in this
jail for this long now when I ought to be elsewhere working for the Lord. My
ministry in Jerusalem is over. Let’s find money and give this man to release me
to do what Jesus has commanded. After all I have done nothing wrong!”
familiar thinking? Not Paul and certainly not you with police or others. You
see, you don’t need compromise to accomplish God’s purpose.
The plan of
Satan to have Paul killed had so far not worked; immediately after the word
from Jesus 40 swore to kill him (Acts 23:12).
He was rescued from the Jews’ attacks and plots in Jerusalem, and now a
different technique was used: the euroclydon. "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much
loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." But the
centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to
what Paul said Acts 27:10-11(ESV). The
stubbornness and lack of a listening ear to the word from God now threatened
all of them. Satan was content to waste the entire ship and crew. Then he influenced the soldiers’ minds (Acts 27:42 -43) and finally in desperation
came through a snake to bite Paul Acts 28:3.
No way! None worked. Saint hold on to Jesus. You must accomplish you God given
goals. No obstacle will keep you from it.
When Jesus
speaks a word, no matter the opposition to it by the scheming and manipulation
of rebellion of Satan, the wickedness of men or poisonous beasts, none can
thwart the purpose of God for any who follow steadfastly in faith. They lost an
Alexandrian ship. God gave another Alexandrian ship Acts
28:11. All cargo was lost. The islanders gave them fresh produce and
provisions Acts 28:10. Was time lost?
Nay, the three months in Melita was an unscheduled revival and evangelistic
stop Acts 28:8-9. Unscheduled by Paul
but not God who works all things together for good despite your supervising
officer’s error and pride; despite the fury of the storms and bites of venomous
snakes. And so we came to Rome Acts 28:14.
How did all
this happen? First the word from Jesus, then Paul refused compromise and was
willing to do God’s biding as a chained prisoner. (Be willing to suffer to get
God’s purposes accomplished) then his intercession for all during the storm.
How do I know he prayed for all including Julius who didn’t listen and those
who wanted to kill him? The angel said “God
has granted you all those who sail with you”. Acts 27:42. Certainly he had prayed for
all. Follow this example; no weapon that
is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that
rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
and their vindication from me, declares the LORD." Is 54:17
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