Acts 21:17-24:27
On his way to Jerusalem, Paul does not know exactly what is to befall him there, but he knows it is not to be pleasant. (Acts 20:22-23) He presses forward in obedience anyway. He is warned that the Jews in Jerusalem are to deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (Acts 21:10-11) He presses forward in obedience anyway.
Sure enough, in Jerusalem, pandemonium breaks out around Paul. He is beaten by an angry mob, falsely accused, and taken into (protective) custody by the Romans. But although Paul’s circumstances may seem dire, the Lord is still in control:
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Acts 23:11b
It may take quite some time before Paul gets to Rome. He must still face dangers, trials, tribulations, and uncertainty. But one thing is sure: He is in the Lord’s hands, the hands of the Resurrected One.
We, too, are in the Lord’s hands. We may not quite be in Paul’s circumstances, but we all face difficulties and uncertainties of various shapes and sizes. Things may seem chaotic. They may even seem horrific, as with the situation in Israel and Gaza. In such situations, saying that the Lord is in control may seem trite, but it is nonetheless true and nonetheless what we need to remember. The Resurrected Lord is still present. The Resurrected Christ still holds you in His hands.
See also: