Never Alone, Needed Still

Acts 23:11 – 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 commander, perplexed by the angry response of the Jews wants to figure out the reason and so has Paul brought back in front of the entire Sanhedrin. The previous day Paul had not been able to finish his message, because the people started rioting. And now he gets another opportunity. But soon enough the crowds break out into such violent disputes among themselves again that Paul had to be rushed out and taken back to the barracks.

It was there at the end of yet another difficult and challenging day, drained physically and emotionally, that the Lord came to Paul. The Lord knew more than anyone else that Paul needed comfort. The Lord knew exactly where Paul was, even in that dark and lonely prison. Paul was not alone. Though everyone had turned against him, the Lord was with and came to comfort him. He also reminds Paul that He was not done with him yet. Paul needed to go to Rome and testify there also.

God knows exactly where you and I are today. Whatever the prison may be, the Lord knows. If you are lonely or you are shackled by some dark sin, which you have managed to hide from everyone else, God knows. God has promised that He would be with us, that He would never leave us. And He always has more work for His children. He was not done with Paul; He is not done with you either. You are still needed. Take heart.