Good morning! Today we are finishing up Acts 23. This chapter has been eye opening in the since that the Lord is the one who changes hearts and protects those who he has called. If you didn’t see the Lord moving through chapter 23, I recommend you go back and re-read it and be encouraged in your own situation that the Lord will come through for you too. Have a wonderful day. Enjoy today’s devotion.

Bible Verse – Acts 23:31-35 NLT

“³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. ³² The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. ³³ When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. ³⁴ The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, ³⁵ he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.”

Reflection

A week ago we were reading what the Lord said to Paul in Acts 23:11 – “¹¹ 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.”

The Lord ensured Paul safety and did not allow for him to be killed in Jerusalem. The Lord followed through on His word to Paul, Paul received protection on his way out of Jerusalem, and is in a place where his accusers will need to go to accuse him. Paul was not only under the protection of guards in Herod’s place, but he was under the guard/protection of the Lord.

Sisters and brothers, we will encounter many things in our lives. Some of those things are self-inflicted and other times they are not. We can make every attempt to resolve the matter in our own strength and our own way, but the Lord is always willing to protect and guide us through it all – consult Him first.

• Will you trust the Lord to guide you and give you strength today and the week ahead?
• Will you trust the Lord to protect you from the plots of the enemy and shelter you from harm?
• Will you trust the Lord even when his ways are uncomfortable?

Father God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for standing beside us and for protecting us. Lord, you know every detail of our lives. You knew us before we were formed. You know every hair on our head and the intricate details of our lives. No one knows us more than you. Lord, we trust the script you have written for our lives. We know your plans are good and perfect. Lord, continue to lead us and mature us in the faith. Continue to equip us and prepare us for the plans and purposes that you have for us. Create in us a stirring that is so undeniable that we surrender our will to you and quickly course correct our plans to align with yours. Lord, you know our daily struggles, our fears, and the problems that we have with our pride. Lord, remind us to depend on you and to remain firm in our faith and belief. Lord, continue to humble us when our pride gets in the way – Lord, let it be a soft but powerful nudge to address our pride before we fall. Lord, wherever pride is turning up dust in our lives – remove it. Use us and continue to change us to be more like you. In Jesus name, amen.

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