This podcast episode features the song “An (Second)” (edited for length) by So I’m An Islander, available under a Creative Commons License.
The Lord Stood by
Our meditation comes from Acts Ch. 23. The wider larger context of this scene goes back to Chapter 22. Paul, along with some companions, had gone to the Temple to perform certain purification customs in order to refute the claims of many that he had completely rejected his Jewish heritage in his mission endeavors to the gentiles. While there, he was recognized by Jews from Asia and was falsely accused of defiling the Temple by bringing gentiles into areas where they were forbidden to enter. A wild mob formed and was about to kill him, when Roman peace keepers came in and prevented Paul from being murdered. He was arrested so this could be sorted out by Roman authorities. The next day, Paul and the chief priest and company appeared before the chief captain of the Roman authorities to settle the matter of the accusation. In this scene Paul had just declared that he was on trial because he believed in the resurrection from the dead. In effect he was throwing a theological hand-grenade in the middle of the room. We pick up reading in Vs. 9 &10 …And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.”
Paul’s remarks ignited a violent argument among two Jewish factions present; and he was right in the middle. Paul had to be removed from the court lest he be pulled apart. Then he was basically thrown back into prison. The whole ordeal was a train wreck!
Paul had a great love for his brethern, the Jewish people. He wanted nothing more than for them to come to Christ. Yet no matter what he said, they wanted to kill him. Paul also had plans upon leaving Jerusalem, to start his fourth and last missionary journey, to take the Gospel where it had never gone before, to the west, past Rome and on to Spain and to the western limits of the then known world. Yet in one moment all his plans and desires unraveled before his eyes.
I believe that we can safely say that by the beginning of verse 11 Paul is disappointed. Disappointment can arise over unfulfilled hopes and dreams. When life seems to take an unexpected turn in what to every visible indication seems to be the wrong direction. Disappointment can very easily lead to discouragement. Discouragement is the loss of courage and strength to face what lies ahead. Discouragement says “You will never be able to overcome. You will never be able to make it through the setbacks you’ve experienced.” Disappointment and discouragement then can spiral into depression. Depression says, “What’s the use?” That may be you right now. If that is the case then you need to hear these verse loud and clear!
But look at Vs. 11 with me: “…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.”
We don’t know if, like the Damascus Road incident, the room filled with a great light and a booming voice was heard above the Apostle Paul; or it was a quiet presence that came to him, like Jesus approached those men on the road to Emmaus, and spoke with a comforting whisper. But we do know this, Jesus was there. In what might possibly be one of the darkest moments of his life, Jesus was right there beside His servant. Listen, Jesus does no less for us! Jesus departing words that concludes the gospel of Matthew made it clear: “…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” This is reiterated with in Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” I remember old preachers that used to say that this verse reads as good backwards as it does forwards: Thee forsake nor thee leave never will I! In other words, like the old song sings: Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll always find Jesus!
Jesus also brought words of encouragement: Be of good cheer! Paul lift your chin! Get you head up! Take courage! Why? Jesus basically tells Paul that this is not the end. Paul had nearly been killed twice, and in this same chapter Jewish assassins are plotting to kill him. He might have thought, “This is the end.” But Jesus says, “I’m not done with you Paul!” When you follow the remaining chapters of the book of Acts you will find time and time again, Paul surviving certain death, to eventually make it to Rome! I believe that the child of God yielded to the will of God is invincible until they accomplishment the purposes of God! Child of God, Be of good cheer! If you have a pulse in your veins, Jesus is not done with you yet!
At the end of his life, I believe Paul referred to this moment in 2 Timothy 4:16-17 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me…
Missionary Darlene Deibler Rose, who was captured by the Japanese during the years surrounding World War II, and was taken to a death prison. The door of the cell she was taken to written in chalk the words “This person must die.” When she was in the cell, she was in complete terror. In her autobiography she said, “Suddenly I found I was singing a song that I had learned as a little girl in Sunday School in Boone, Iowa:
Fear not, little flock,
Whatever your lot,
He enters all rooms,
The doors being shut.
He never forsakes,
He never is gone,
So count on His presence
From darkness ‘till dawn…
This is Great Brother Ronnie and Very Encouraging Words.
Thanks for listening and commenting Bro. Gary!