Acts 22:22-23:11

Be still: Lord, still my restless heart, gather my senses and speak to me in this reading of your holy Word. Reveal Jesus to me and renew my mind. Amen

Read: Acts 22:22-23:11

Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome. (v11)

Encounter: What did you want to be when you grew up? A painter? A policeman?  For me it was a chef. I remember being ten years old, standing in front of my primary school classmates with aplomb, making a gourmet caesar salad complete with dressing. To my surprise, no one ate it. I didn't realise then that ten-year-olds don’t eat salad. I didn’t grow up to be a chef! 

Career aspirations often change. As believers, however, we are always called to carry the gospel and share what Jesus has done for us wherever we go.

Paul trained to be a Pharisee, but God had other plans. He changed him from a law enforcer to a grace proclaimer. Notice the upward trajectory in today’s reading – from crowd, to officials, to Sanhedrin, to the High Priest and finally to the Lord saying, 'Next time: Rome.' God had an undreamed-of career path lined up for Paul. 

As we live faithfully to God’s calling, the Lord entrusts us with more. Jesus said, 'Whoever can be trusted with little can be trusted with much.' (Luke 16:10) Paul’s faithfulness was the catalyst for his promotion. For us, it’s our obedience that makes the difference to how much fruit we will bear. The more obedient we are, the more fruitful we will be. Paul didn’t water down his testimony of Jesus but shared it openly. On occasions he evaded flogging and capture by Jewish authorities by being clever and honest. Unrecorded, but behind the scenes, the Holy Spirit was making a way for Paul. 

Apply: Are Jesus words 'Take courage!' for you today? If we stand firm, the Lord not only provides a way out, but leads onward to greater things. Like Paul, we may find the road doesn’t get easier (his led to Rome), but when we are obedient to Jesus' call, we will bear fruit and witness God’s miraculous provision.

Devote: Lord, give me faithfulness and obedience to the call you have placed on my life. Give me courage to walk by faith. Fill me with your presence so I will never be shaken.