ACTS 23:11-35
"And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy."
The hard road of faith has been a theme throughout most of our 8 months in the book of Acts. "The road is hard" has been said in almost every sermon since the church was scattered in chapter 8. The hard road of faith is a worthy message and reminder because the challenges of faith are not only seen all throughout scripture but also promised to believers today. It is good for followers today to see the struggles of spiritual pioneers of the past which can better prepare us to remain faithful in our own battles today. Case in point, the death of Charlie Kirk went hand in hand with what we were reading in Acts. Our studies of scriptures and understanding of promised struggles helped us as a church better respond in faith to what we were witnessing in 2025.
However, let not the promise of hard times or struggles in this world ever be louder than the promises and goodness of God! God is good! God is sovereign! God loves those that He calls His! In this week's text, God's goodness shines much brighter than Paul's struggles. Paul is beaten, discouraged, and waiting in a holding cell. Let's not forget the 40 men conspiring to murder him in cold blood! One could ask how could anything be louder than those types of struggles?
In this week's text, we see that the world's attempt to prevent God's plan is a ridiculous and futile attempt. Praise God, for His goodness is so much greater than man's evil! Just like the numerous times the world threw Peter in prison, the Lord always saw that the jail cell couldn't hold him. They would throw Peter in prison, and the Lord would set him free. They could surround his prison with over 100 guards, and Peter would soon find freedom! Why? Because God had plans for Peter and nothing could thwart His hand on his life and calling.
We see the same with Paul this week. The Lord said to Paul, "Go to Rome and testify in my name." When we saw that God told Paul what to do, we need to rest assured that Paul was going to have a road to do just that. God's word is clear, "If God is for me, who can be against me?" This verse is not a verse about man, but more the power and promises of God. "If God has called me, then He will lead me, and if He leads me, nothing can stop me!"
The road is and will remain hard for Paul but praise the Lord for His good and sovereign hand. In later chapters, Paul gets to Rome just like God called Him to. Let this be a message of peace and confidence over your soul. "If God calls me, He will provide for me."
This week, take time and pray for clarity in God's calling in your life. "God, where would you have me go, say, and do for your glory?" Now, no matter how hard the road is, remember that God never calls someone to a place where He won't deliver them to. God's goodness is greater than the world's hard road!
Stay faithful church.
However, let not the promise of hard times or struggles in this world ever be louder than the promises and goodness of God! God is good! God is sovereign! God loves those that He calls His! In this week's text, God's goodness shines much brighter than Paul's struggles. Paul is beaten, discouraged, and waiting in a holding cell. Let's not forget the 40 men conspiring to murder him in cold blood! One could ask how could anything be louder than those types of struggles?
In this week's text, we see that the world's attempt to prevent God's plan is a ridiculous and futile attempt. Praise God, for His goodness is so much greater than man's evil! Just like the numerous times the world threw Peter in prison, the Lord always saw that the jail cell couldn't hold him. They would throw Peter in prison, and the Lord would set him free. They could surround his prison with over 100 guards, and Peter would soon find freedom! Why? Because God had plans for Peter and nothing could thwart His hand on his life and calling.
We see the same with Paul this week. The Lord said to Paul, "Go to Rome and testify in my name." When we saw that God told Paul what to do, we need to rest assured that Paul was going to have a road to do just that. God's word is clear, "If God is for me, who can be against me?" This verse is not a verse about man, but more the power and promises of God. "If God has called me, then He will lead me, and if He leads me, nothing can stop me!"
The road is and will remain hard for Paul but praise the Lord for His good and sovereign hand. In later chapters, Paul gets to Rome just like God called Him to. Let this be a message of peace and confidence over your soul. "If God calls me, He will provide for me."
This week, take time and pray for clarity in God's calling in your life. "God, where would you have me go, say, and do for your glory?" Now, no matter how hard the road is, remember that God never calls someone to a place where He won't deliver them to. God's goodness is greater than the world's hard road!
Stay faithful church.
SCRIPTURE TO GO WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Isaiah 41:9-13 for more encouraging truths about God's hand in the life of His children.
Posted in Year One