WAYS HELP CAN COME
ACTS 22:17-21
ACTS 22:17-21 NKJ
17 "Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.' 19 So I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.' 21 Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.'"
OBSERVATION:
In this chapter, Paul is making his defense before an angry crowd of Jews in the temple.
They were trying to kill him and would have been successful if not for the Roman soldiers' involvement. The fact that Paul was willing to talk to this mob was pretty courageous on his part.
In his address, Paul recalls the Lord's help years earlier when he was in Jerusalem. He was a new convert and was causing quite a stir among the Jewish leaders as he proclaimed the faith he once tried to destroy.
What is of note is how the Lord helped him. As Paul was praying in the temple, he had a vision of Jesus appearing to him. Jesus told him to get out of town post-haste. When Jesus told Paul that the Jews would not receive Paul's preaching about the Lord, Paul actually pushed back. I am sure he was respectful, but Paul just knew his past life as a persecutor of the church would give him credibility. But Jesus had other plans for Paul, which included sending him to the Gentiles.
Jesus told Paul to leave. Jesus was helping Paul by saving him from impending trouble.
We could ask why didn't Jesus just protect Paul? Why didn't Jesus just surround him with angels or kill his enemies? But Jesus was protecting Paul by warning him to get out of town quickly.
APPLICATION:
There is a lesson here in this short passage. The Lord does not always help us the way we want. Nor does He do things the same way every time. In the city of Corinth, Jesus told Paul to stay and speak up, and no one would hurt him. (Acts 8:9-10)
The important thing is that we learn to follow His leading. Not follow what we think is the best idea. We have to be willing to receive His help as it comes.
PRAYER:
Thank you for Your help, Lord. I want to get better at following Your leading as You guide me by Your Holy Spirit.