“The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

God’s word is like a bridge connecting present and future events by a solid walkway into the unknown. His promise provides certainty in uncertain circumstances. 

God’s promise came to Paul before the plot to kill him was uncovered. So, despite the threat, he had a word from the Lord to steady and guide him as he navigated his way towards Rome… He knew he would reach Rome because God had said so. 

“The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul…But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the by centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 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.” The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭10‬-‭12‬, ‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How was it that Paul’s nephew happened to be in the right place at the right time? How was it that the commander happened to treat the young man kindly, listen to him, and believe his story? How was it that this commander acted immediately and removed Paul from danger that same night?

“Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This was God’s sovereignty, providence, and intervention at work! He was orchestrating and supervising each step of Paul’s journey to Rome…and at the Roman government’s expense! For Paul, it may have seemed like a long, circuitous, and rough ride… but the Lord was surely in it from start to finish…of that he was convinced. 

So, Paul was content to follow the cues, and to read the signs. Always sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, he was bold, courageous, and unashamed to tell his story and to bear witness to Jesus whenever and wherever he could. 

 Paul’s enemies had a plot but…God had a plan. As long as He was in charge, human schemes would never succeed against His purposes. He turned every adversity to Paul’s advantage. He used every trial and every hardship as tools to accomplish His purpose and to finish what He started. 

So, from Jerusalem to Caesarea, the first leg of Paul’s journey to Rome, was accomplished but…there were still many months of frustration, uncertainty, and patience ahead of Paul before God’s promise would be fulfilled. God was never in a hurry. There were people who would join the caste in this narrative… Paul’s story would be told before kings…and even miracles would happen before Paul would reach his destination. 

As the details were added, day by day, bringing shape and colour to this picture God was painting…what the purpose and what would the end result look like? 

We can only marvel as we catch glimpses of what God was doing. Paul himself summed it up in his magnificent outburst of praise as he contemplated the glory of God’s plan for Israel. 

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬-‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God was moving Paul, step by step, towards Rome. No matter how many twists and turns his journey took, no matter how many deviations and detours…he would reach his destination, safe and intact because God had made the plan and determined the way. 

Is it not true that we, in the midst of our troubles, can see only darkness, uncertainty, and insecurity. Imagine what Paul must have felt like as he was hurried off in the night, under heavy guard, to escape his killers…or in those long, tedious days in prison in Caesarea…waiting…for what? What did he think when his advice was later disregarded…and a vicious storm battered the fragile boat until all aboard the ship lost hope? What about those months on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, not knowing what would happen next? 

These frightening circumstances, on hindsight, tell an amazing story of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and power…weaving together the dark and light threads of a tapestry so incredible that only God Himself could have made it all possible. Truly, to Him alone belonged the honour, praise, and glory…

…but…I am rushing ahead of myself…

To be continued