How Much More Can I Take?

Acts 23
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good
cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must
thou bear witness also at Rome.   Acts 23:11


LET IT GLOW

Have you had a week that seemed everywhere you turned  there is
discouragement, criticism, and things go wrong? Yes, indeed.
It seemed to be happening to Paul in this chapter.

The Roman military commander of Jerusalem ordered the Sanhedrin to
gather and brought Paul to the assembly. He was determined to find out the
cause of the rioting.

The Sanhedrin ruled the people on behalf of the Roman empire. The chief
priest himself was usually a Sadducee who presided over the Sanhedrin
(Jewish court). The Pharisees' doctrine held to the beliefs in the Resurrection,
angels, and the nature of supernatural intervention. The Sadducees denied
such things. Both groups were religious men of politics. Representatives from
the two major parties of Jewish belief were present, and Paul knew they
were bitterly opposed to each other. His plan was to set them against each
other, and it worked.

The commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by the two groups,
so he again rescued Paul and returned him to the military barracks.
That night the Lord assured Paul of his continued safety. What a promise!
(verse 11) Paul fulfilled his mission to the Jews and was headed to Rome.
(That meant he was going to live a little while longer.)
Who had everything under control? Jesus, of course. Paul was right where he
was supposed to be. About the time Paul thought it was curtains in Jerusalem,
he's promised a guaranteed ticket to Rome.

What can we learn from all of this? The Lord will stand by our side,
encouraging and seeing us through all-if we are bearing true witness for Him.
In spite of how my week is going, the Lord is in control. Repeat after me,
the Lord is in control.
Here are some scriptures of reassurance: Ps. 23:4; 27:1; 28:7;  Isaiah 41:10,
43:2; Hebrews 13:5-6.


LET IT GROW

Paul's nephew, hearing of a conspiracy by over 40 men to murder Paul,
warned the apostle. When the plot was reported to the military commander,
he acted immediately and sent Paul with a guard of 472 men to the Roman
governor Felix, along with a letter of explanation, to the city of Caesarea.
He also ordered Paul's accusers to go there, if they had a case to present
against the apostle. The next chapter tells about Paul's trial before Felix.

I don't think Paul asked, "How much more can I take?" He had surrendered
in his heart to do things the Lord's way. He knew he had a ticket  to Rome,
because Jesus told him according to verse 11. Keep in mind, Paul's
imprisonment later on resulted in letters he wrote to the churches, which is a
major part of the New Testament.
Only the Lord knows how much more you and I can take. As humans, we
still ask the question or think it, don't we? However, "Your will be done" is all
we can say.

(Today's lesson is taken from the following resources:
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Handbook, The Preacher's Outline and Sermon
Bible, Paul: A Man With Grace and Grit)


LET IT GO

Rest in  the Lord being in full control. Trust His plan and time for all things.

Trust His Word and submit.

Watch the Lord move and give Him the glory.