DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday May 25, 2022, Jehovah is on my side, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Ps. 118:6).

DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday May 25, 2022

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Jehovah is on my side, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Ps. 118:6).

It was around the year 56. A mob dragged Paul out of the Jerusalem temple and tried to kill him. The next day, when he was brought before the Sanhedrin, his enemies came close to tearing him to pieces (Acts 21:30-32; 22:30; 23:6-10). At the time, Paul may have wondered, "How much longer can I take this abuse?" It is clear that he needed help. What help did he receive? The night after he was arrested, the Lord—that is, Jesus—appeared at his side and said, “Have courage! For just as you have borne a full testimony about me in Jerusalem, so you will have to bear witness in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Those words of encouragement were just what he needed. Jesus congratulated Paul on the witness he had given in Jerusalem and promised him that he would arrive safely in Rome, where he too would bear witness. After receiving that promise, he must have felt as protected as a baby snuggled in his father's arms. w20.11 12 paras. 1, 3; 13 para. 4

How did Jehovah help Paul through a military commander?

What help did Paul receive? As we have already seen, in the year 56, Jesus assured Paul that he would arrive in Rome. But some Jerusalem Jews planned an ambush to kill him. When the Roman military commander Claudius Lysias learned of the plan, he came to his aid. He then sent Paul escorted by many soldiers to Caesarea, a route of about 105 kilometers (65 miles). There, Governor Felix "ordered that he be guarded in Herod's palace." In this way, Paul was safe from those who wanted to kill him (Acts 23:12-35).

How did governor Festus help Paul?

In the year 58, Paul was still a prisoner in Caesarea. Festus had replaced Felix as governor. The Jews begged him to take Paul to Jerusalem so that he could be tried there, but Festus refused. Perhaps the governor suspected that the Jews "were plotting an ambush to kill Paul on the way" (Acts 24:27-25:5).

What did Festus do when Paul appealed to Caesar?

Shortly thereafter, Paul was tried at Caesarea. Since Festus wanted to make a good impression on the Jews, he asked Paul: “Do you want to go up to Jerusalem and be judged there before me for these things?” The apostle knew that if he went to Jerusalem, he would probably be killed. And he also knew what he had to do to save his life, get to Rome and continue preaching. So he said, "I appeal to Caesar!" After consulting his advisers, Festus replied: "You have appealed to Caesar and Caesar you will go." Festus' decision to send Paul to Rome put him out of the reach of his enemies (Acts 25:6-12).

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