Acts 23 But God...

The Apostle Paul was arrested in Acts 22. In Acts 23, he is brought before the Sanhedrin.  Paul, realizing that there are both Pharisees and Sadducees present, makes a statement about the resurrection which he knows will divide the crowd. The resulting chaos causes the Roman soldiers to intervene.

"The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."" (Acts 23:11) Paul's life, his future, is beyond his control. He's in a Roman prison. Forty Jews are plotting his demise. But God! But God has other plans. But God puts Paul's nephew in the right place at the right time to overhear the plot. But God gave that boy the courage to talk to Paul. But God gave that boy favor in the eyes of the Romans who listened to him. Paul's life is out of his control but God is in control.

Sometimes life feels out of control. Sometimes things don't make sense. We feel like we should be involved in a particular ministry but the door is slammed shut. A gifted missionary has to come off the field because the financial support isn't there. A pastor preaches his heart out and the people don't seem to hear. A family finally gets their financial woes in order only to have the car break down or a child get sick. Life is out of control. But God is still God.

We preach that truth. We tell each other that truth. We talk in church like we believe that truth. But in the darkness of those moments when life comes undone, we sometimes wonder if it's really true. It's in those moments that the grace of God pierces the darkness and reminds us that God never stops being God. He is in control and we are in His hands. Whatever happens will be to His glory and by His grace.

Father, thank you for faithfully meeting me in those dark hours. Sometimes you have sent a flood of joy through the valley of despair. At other times you have given a beam of hope burning through the fog of depression. Sometimes you have used my wife, my children, or others to speak a word of encouragement, when all I could hear was the din of confusion. But, you have always been there and you have promised never to leave. Thank you that no matter what the world and the enemy can throw my way, you are there and you never stop being God. I rest in that fact.