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. Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.” Then he wrote this letter to the governor: “From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings! “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. Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. 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.” So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered. “I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.
Acts of the Apostles 23:23-35 NLT
Paul was getting help from an unexpected place: the Romans! There was a plot against his life, and the Roman officer was the one who was protecting him with 470 guards. Just as God promised, Paul would be delivered safely, and he would be able to stand trial under the governor. God will not always pick the way that we want to fulfill His plan, but we can be ready to accept His plan no matter how it comes. Sometimes we miss God answering our prayers because it’s not the way that we expected Him to answer it. Sometimes God answers our prayers in ways that stretch us because He is growing our trust in Him.
Earlier, Paul had written that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us (Romans 8:37). I wonder if Paul felt, being escorted with hundreds of Roman soldiers, that he was a conqueror. Even though it was predicted that he would be arrested in Jerusalem, he still obediently entered the city. Even though he was arrested and had death threats against him, he walked out of the city alive and with an armed escort. God answered the prayer in a very unique way, and Paul knew that he could trust in the Lord no matter what. This confidence would carry him through a storm and shipwreck. God promises our lives will be rough (John 16:33), but He also promises to be with us (Matt 28:20) and that we will overcome in Him (John 16:33).
How is your confidence level today? What would it look like for you to be more confident (not arrogant) in Christ?
