Reading for today: Acts 23:23-35
Once the plot to kill Paul was discovered by his nephew, who in turn informed the Roman commander, plans were made to remove Paul from Jerusalem. The military escort gathered to accompany Paul was no small force - 400 soldiers and 70 cavalry. The size of the force and the hour of departure (around 9:00 PM) would certainly have garnered attention in the streets of Jerusalem.
The trip to Caesarea is a little over 60 miles, so the contingent stopped at a half-way point, the fortress at Antipatris. In the morning, the foot soldiers return to their garrison in Jerusalem and the horsemen continue their escort of Paul to Caesarea.
As Paul's case is passed from the military commander, Claudius Lysias, to Governor Felix, Paul is moving up the "food chain" in Roman politics. Remember earlier when Jesus appeared to Paul, he encouraged Paul and told him that he would preach the Good News in Rome. At that time, Paul must have wondered how that was ever going to happen. By having his case transferred to the hands of the region's governor, the path to Rome was now beginning to take form.
Sometimes when God gives us a dream we wonder how in the world it will ever come about. We tend to see things that are only right in front of us, while He sees the big picture. I'm reminded of this often quoted passage: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5,6).
How are you handling roadblocks and detours? What are some things we can do to bolster our faith when it looks like our God-given dreams are hijacked by circumstances? I'd love to hear some thoughts on this.
Tomorrow: Paul on trial...again...
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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