Reading for March 28-April 1
Acts 22:30-23:1-11
Thursday
Turning Points
“The night Paul was incarcerated the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” Acts 23:11
Pastor’s Reflection
All of Paul’s plans, dreams, hopes, yearnings, had, from a human point of view, been crushed. In jail, a prisoner both of Rome and, for all intents and purposes, of the Sanhedrin as well, it looked like he would never get to Rome (Acts 19), nor would he ever get to Spain (mentioned in his letter to the Romans)
It was then, in his “dark night of the soul”, that the Lord spoke to him. We have no idea how the Lord spoke. For most of us the Lord speaks through a thought or impression or a leading or in reading scripture or through a friend. The thought or words are then sensed to be as possibly from God.
Paul got the message. God was in charge. He could trust Him. God would get him to Rome. Paul still had work to do, a purpose to live, places to go, people to see for God. It was a turning point. From now on God would orchestrate Paul’s itinerary without Paul’s input. Paul had to and could trust.
Sometimes I worry about not being able to complete the task God has given me on earth. But to worry about that isn’t my job. God is competent to accomplish what he wants. I can rest in that.
I believe we do know how the Lord spoke to Paul, it clearly states that he "appeared to Paul and said" - no reason to doubt the very real nature of this interaction.
ReplyDeleteBelieving in God's power, knowing Him and experiencing His supernatural power, I can only hope He will ask me to join Him in His work. I have no power or ability to accomplish any task of His without Him. Even when He works through me, it is not I. I merely observe as He does the work. Not that I get it right all the time. That's why I need to be connected to my sisters and brothers in Christ.
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous #1. Paul was God's chosen vessel (Acts 9:15). We can not all expect to have a Damascus Road experience where Jesus will appear before us. I also agree with Paster Jeff, that God speaks to us through His word (the bible) and His Holy Spirit directs and guides us by helping us recall scripture and prompting us to obey God and turn from evil.
ReplyDelete