FRIDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2024
TEXT:
ACT 23:12-22
12:
The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an
oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13:
More than forty men were involved in this plot.
14:
They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn
oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
15:
Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you
on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are
ready to kill him before he gets here.”
16:
But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks
and told Paul.
17:
Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the
commander; he has something to tell him.”
18:
So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent
for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to
tell you.”
19:
The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What
is it you want to tell me?”
20:
He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin
tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.
21:
Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush
for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed
him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”
22:
The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone
that you have reported this to me.”
(New International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
DIVINE PROVIDENCE AMID SUFFERING
Apostle
Paul had shared the story of his conversion in our last study. In view of that,
there was a plot to kill him because his defence divided the Sanhedrin.
Brethren you can see what Apostle Paul went through.
There
are still assassins in many countries today who kill people at will. Many
believers in the Northeast are suffering persecution because they accepted
Jesus as their Lord and personal saviour and several churches have been
attacked by enemies of the Gospel. But divine providence has seen believers go
through such attacks unscathed.
This
text shows us how God can save a person from suffering and persecution. Through
God's divine providence, Paul escaped to Caesarea with a full military escort and
a letter referring his case to the provincial governor.
Sometimes
certain people may plot to kill you, as they planned to eliminate Apostle Paul,
because you are a witness to Jesus Christ. Cheer up, it will soon be over. Paul
had to live and endure many hardships until he had finished the race God set
him for.
QUESTION:
Do you know that you will not die until you finish the course which God had
appointed for you as a believer?
PRAYER:
In the face of suffering and persecution, help me, o Lord, to be bold, stand
for You and continue to preach the hope and resurrection found in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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