Acts 23 THE LORD STOOD BY HIM There have always been times in the lives and labors of those who serve God in the work of the Gospel, that challenges come against them that cannot be avoided. It is a good practice for those who are involved in this work to review from time to time, the ways of God with us right from our call at the beginning, to the events that led to present circumstances. Paul was able to say he had "lived in all good conscience before God until this day." That assurance enabled him to look straight at those men who formed the Sanhedrin and not feel guilty in any way. The tumultuous day before must have left him with a sense of uncertainty, but by reviewing, perhaps during the night, his life of service for God, he could have the confidence of a clear conscience.
As to his response to Ananias the high priest, he may have been trying to make the point that such an action on the priest's part was inconsistent with the role of the priest. Paul did not acknowledge him as God's high priest but simply as the high priest of a passing religious order. We should always give due consideration to one who represents the people as a legitimate representative. Not all law enforcement officers, judges or administrators are honorable nor honest. Yet because of the position they hold, we owe them respect. When we represent Christ to those around us, that should be able to be seen.
The divided council is typical of most representative groups. They are easily divided over opinions they hold rather than the laws or standards they are supposed to defend. Some things are best left to God to deal with, even though we may have a scheme that will help us while it hurts them. Paul had wanted to go to Jerusalem and he got there. He wanted to see the brethren and he saw them. It was doubtless his purpose to speak to his national brethren the Jews, and he did that too. But none of it seemed to be working out very well. It is possible that our plans are able to be carried out, and yet the results be very different from what we had anticipated. The uproar of those dignified council members and the contention among them must have startled Paul when he realized how vigorous the dissension among them was. The pulling for and against Paul was of such force he was in danger of dying right there. If left to ourselves we can create unnecessary problems, but God has His way of dealing with people and events. God can make "even the wrath of man to praise Him."
By the time nightfall came Paul must have been very discouraged. In his appearance before the council, his respectful approach to them was rejected and his sincerity was insulted. The righteousness of his good conscience was rejected and the testimony he had previously given had fallen on deaf ears. He may have been lying awake in the night dejected and wondering what was really going to happen to him next. In times of our extremity we are usually more open to the voice of God then when things are going as we had planned. One has said, "Man's extremity is God's opportunity." When "The Lord stood by him" and spoke to His servant, Paul was certainly ready to hear His words. God stepped into the situation rather than taking Paul out of it. It may be in the purposes of God to leave us in difficult circumstances so that He can bring things about in His way, not ours. God is always in control and His will must be done in the way that is most suitable to Him. God gave His servant Paul, the assurance that He was with him. "The Lord stood by him," but He did not arrange an escape as He had with Peter years earlier.
When God visits us in our times of stress, everything is changed The Lord raised his dejected spirit with the personal words, "Be of good cheer, Paul." Paul knew the Lord was cognizant of who he was and where he was. The Lord addressed the fact that He had been listening to what His servant has been saying before the multitude and the council, "Thou hast testified of Me." Then as the Lord stood by him, He was told by the highest authority, "So must thou bear witness also at Rome." In gracious sympathy the Lord dealt with every issue that had come upon Paul.
It is no small matter when difficulties arise in our service for God. He knows every word spoken against His servants, and He knows every word and attitude we have towards those in opposition to us. We must be careful not only as to what we say, but how we say it. The words we preach publicly and the words spoken in private are all heard by the Master we serve and represent. What caution we must use when we open our lips in the furtherance and defense of the Gospel. To promote our motivation in the work of the Lord to which we have been called, we need to be aware of the fact that God already has a plan laid out for us. Our responsibility is to be willing and ready to obey Him, whenever He reveals His will to us as we go step by step.
We may never know the conspiracies that are planned against us, but nothing is hidden from our Lord. If He chooses to reveal them to us so that we can take some defensive action, then be thankful that He has made a way to escape. I am sure that there are many attempts to thwart the work we seek to do for the Lord that we may never know about - but God does. Therefore, we rest in Him in whose hands our "times" are. The Lord used an unbeliever to deliver Paul and to start him on his journey to Rome. The things that happen to us may forever be hidden from us as to the purpose or even the people used, but we can rejoice in the fact that "He knowest the way that I take," and nothing men, principalities and powers can do will stop the divine will from being accomplished by God's obedient servants.
In the hours of darkness, some of our fears are faced. The events of the day before in our minds we carefully trace. To see if what we did was right or if there were some bad mistakes - And if there were, we need to think if there is restitution we must make.
In the hours of darkness, we sing some of our best songs - "Power in the Blood," or "Amazing Grace," maybe "Farther Along." Because in those silent songs from our heart, we have nothing to hide. And our fellowship with God is sweet and "Let me with Thee abide."
In the hours of darkness, the Lord drew near to stand Beside His discouraged servant and in the work, strengthen his hand. He learned the Lord knew his emotions were stretched to the breaking point. And with the words He spoke to him, with oil of gladness did anoint.
In the hours of darkness, we often pray and renew again our resolve To be faithful and true to God's leading even when there are problems we can't solve. Just to know God knows, and be reminded again that all is under His control - Brings rest to a weary body, and grace and contentment to the soul.
"Father, some of the things we have had to deal with recently, and the fact that the results are very long-lasting, is of great concern. And yet, in Thee do I put my trust, knowing every issue and outcome is known to Thee. I will rest in Thee and praise Thee for the outcome, even though I may never know it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."