“The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy. 14 They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.” 16 But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul. 17 Paul called for one of the Roman officers and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.”” Acts 23:12-17 NLT
“Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. 24 Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.” 25 Then he wrote this letter to the governor:27 “This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. 28 Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. 29 I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. 30 But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.”” Acts 23:23-30
Lord of the journey,
Horse back. And with a whole security guard. Well he arrived more like a general than a prisoner! Sometimes amidst the battles and struggles You send some relief. And the threat came from those who had been offended by his testimony earlier (Acts 22:6-16) and then speaking about the resurrection (23:5-11). They must have been insecure if they felt they had to silence Paul. The problem was theirs not his. Sometimes, just having faith gives others a problem. Sometimes they are just vindictive. But You use a young relative to have Paul sent by the commander to Felix. An opportunity to preach the gospel to the gentile rulers.
And surely the troops would have heard of his faith and be interested in this man being kept safe and removed with a large guard? The commander, an Army leader, was assured Paul had done nothing wrong but give some offense to the religious leaders. But he cannot let him go in case of further riots, murder and trouble. So the situation dictates the actions. But You ensured His safety.
Sometimes life’s events dictate the actions and we feel we have no control or even that You have been silent. But God tells Paul that it is part of the plan (Acts 22:11). God would use him even as a prisoner with gentiles who did not respect the Law of God.
Help us when we feel trapped or unable to find the future we would want and like. Help us when we feel despondent. Not to trust our feelings but to acknowledge then and come to You. To find the assurance, comfort (Matthew 11:28-29), some still waters and green pastures along a hard road (Psalm 23). Help us remember what is hard for one is not hard for another, and not make light of it.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Monday 8th December 2025
Starts with insecurity and ends in remembrance of His security.
I have a home, eternal home
But for now I walk this broken world
You walked it first, You know our pain
But You show hope can rise again up from the grave
Abide with me, abide with me
Don’t let me fall, and don’t let go
Walk with me and never leave
Ever close, God abide with me
There in the night, Gethsemane
Before the cross, before the nails
Overwhelmed, alone You prayed
You met us in our suffering and bore our shame
Abide with me, abide with me
Don’t let me fall, and don’t let go
Walk with me and never leave
Ever close, God abide with me
Oh love that will not ever let me go
Love that will not ever let me go
You never let me go
Love that will not ever let me go
Oh You never let us go
And up ahead, eternity
We’ll weep no more, we’ll sing for joy, abide with me
We’ll weep no more, we’ll sing for joy, abide with me
Abide with me, abide with me
Don’t let me fall, and don’t let go
Walk with me and never leave
Ever close, God abide with me
Lyrics: Matt Redman