This is the fourth post in the study, The Power of the Word. Difficulties may not always be welcomed in our lives. Yet this week, Paul showed us how difficulties often serve purposes beyond our understanding.

• Arguing and division can serve a purpose. In reading Acts 22:30 – 23:10, I have to admit I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it all. When charges are brought against him, Paul seems to take charge of the whole situation, speaking out plainly and boldly, almost to the point of digging himself deeper into trouble. He relies on his background, that of being a Pharisee. The result? More arguing and greater division. In fear, the commander orders Paul to be brought back to the fortress in safety.
• God’s plans often differ from ours. In Acts 23:11-22, Paul was put back in prison for his own protection. The Lord encouraged Paul to continue being a witness, letting him know not only what Paul would accomplish in Jerusalem, but also in Rome. This group of 40 men conspired against Paul but God’s plans will not be thwarted, for it is His plans which will prevail (see Job 42:2). They did in Paul’s life and will also in each of ours.
• Each step of our journey is important. In reading Acts 23:23-35, it may look like not much has changed in Paul’s circumstances. He’s still being held, charges are yet pending, and there is no freedom in sight. His plans certainly are not turning out the way he had intended. Yet God is working something out according to HIS plan. The author makes this point in the full study: “While I’m sure this must have felt like a frustrating set back to Paul, this journey was an important step in the spread of the Gospel to Rome and thus the western world.” Each of our lives is a journey. Every twist and turn is a necessary part of getting us to where we are going, and who we are becoming. None is a waste. Look at Paul. This frustrating setback also gave him the personal attention of 200 soldiers, 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. Paul was provided a horse to ride. I bet his voice projected nicely from up there while they traveled And he had a captive audience. They had no choice but to listen to him and hear the message. And the odds are good it was the Good News!
• False accusations and flattery. In Acts 24:1-9, we find Tertullus flattering the governor in order to get his attention. He falsely complimented the governor, inflating his head in order to gain favor and perhaps the outcome he desired. During this governor’s reign, there was less peace not more. He had also not made improvements but in fact, made life miserable for the Jews. Flattery is insincere praise. Within these nine verses, we see false praise and false accusation, bringing the reminder to make certain all spoken words are truthful. There was a hidden motivation in each of these falsehoods. The false praise was to gain favor. The false accusation was in the hopes of getting Paul killed.
  
• We can make the best of any situation. We closed the week with reading Acts 24:10-27. Here we find Paul taking the stand so to speak, in his own defense. He makes them aware he has not been in Jerusalem long enough to stir up any trouble. He then states the real problem – he is on trial for his faith, his Christian faith. At the conclusion, Felix is undecided and orders Paul to be kept in custody, giving him the freedom of having friends visit him and take care of his needs. Meanwhile, Felix and his wife, Drusilla, keep returning to talk to Paul. Paul took advantage of this, sharing his faith in Christ Jesus. And we are told – they listened! This continued for two years. While Felix had wrong motivations – waiting for Paul to make a bribe – Paul continued to share about his faith. Paul did not sit in self-pity, nor did he complain. He used the time and the opportunity to share about Christ.

The week of study reminded me to look for opportunities to use the time wisely, to share my faith, and bring glory to God. We can make the best of every situation, with the help of God. It is no wonder that Paul later wrote:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:3-4, NLT).

Past posts in this study include Week One: Lessons From the Early Church and Week Two: Staying to Task and Week Three: Our Stories and Individuality .

Today I am joining … Inspire Me Monday .