ACTS 23 - GOD SHOWS UP UNDER TRIALS

Acts 23 shows us how Paul faced the trial before the  council. We clearly see that God was before Paul and was with him especially during this time of need. 

How do we see God's moves in this chapter?

1. Boldness and courage ( v.1-5)

- Paul faced the council and he was not moved before them for God was his confidence. 

- After all that he experienced, all the hardships, and the journeys he had, he developed this great faith from the Lord alone. 

- There is no fear and no more condemnations in Christ on every side. 

2. Wisdom (v. 6-10)

- Wisdom was most needed this time and it was given to him. 

- Paul brought up about the resurrections of Christ which caused conflict between Sadducees and Pharisees

- So the council was stirred and it caused the commander to keep Paul before the accusers seized him.

3. Instruction and Assurance (v. 11)

- Paul was instructed by God to also testify about Jesus in Rome

- This instruction really assured Paul that he has more assignments to do. Surely his life will be spared before the trial in Jerusalem because God already saw him in Rome. 

4. Protection (v. 16-22)

- The Jews plotted to assassinate Paul for the next trial. There were more than 40 of them who were ready to kill him. 

- But God used the nephew of Paul so that their conspiracy be made known to the commander and so they brought Paul to Rome instead. 

- God protected Paul until he reached Rome safely to continue the trials there. 

- When there's instruction, there's protection. 

5. Provision (v. 23-34)

- More than 40 Jews strictly bound themselves to an oath neither to eat nor drink until they kill Paul

- But God prepared 200 hundred soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to protect Paul.

- God also provided mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to the Governor of Rome. 

6. Direction (v. 31-35)

- The Soldiers were led according to the instructions of God to Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris to the barracks with the horsemen with him. 

- God used the horsemen and soldiers to bring him to the place where He wants him to be. 

God made the way, Paul just obeyed. God was unstoppable to the life of Paul. 

When we are under trials, the same God that was with Paul is the same God that will intervene with us today. He is surely moving....

LET US REFLECT: 

Have we seen God even more  when we are under trials?

Have we experienced His moves during this time - the boldness and courage, the wisdom, the instructions and assurance, the protection, the provision, and the directions?

or

We tend to just overlook Him because we are more focused on the sufferings and pain of being in the circumstances?

A TRULY SURRENDERED AND OBEDIENT LIFE TO CHRIST WILL TRULY EXPERIENCE GOD IN HIS DIVINE NATURE AND INTERVENTION.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28