The following night the Lord stood near to Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
Depleted Resources. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we have exhausted all of our resources and do not see a solution to the particular problem we face. Maybe the money and resources have run completely dry, a wayward family member may seem too far gone, or perhaps we are facing an impossible relationship, or maybe our own life is on the line and unless the Lord intervenes in these situations for us -- all hope is gone. There just doesn't seem to be a good fit anywhere for the problem that we face -- we're missing a piece of the puzzle.
Dubious circumstances. It is during these times that the hand of God is moving us in a direction; sometimes it is just a matter of remaining obedient in the small things and allowing the Lord to work out the way before us. We will not always see the end result or know the why and wherefore of our particular situation. Paul was facing the wrath of the Pharisees and Sadducees while arguing for the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And, we find the next evening, the Lord appears to Paul and tells him, "Take courage!" This was not the end for Paul or the mission God had given him; the Lord was moving him to Rome.
Divine Direction. Paul experienced the Lord's appearance at this juncture and His deliverance. Just when Paul might have thought it was all over, the Lord reminded Him of His purpose and plan. While Paul did not see any other options in front of him, the Lord saw the beginning from the end with Paul and continued to work through him.
photo credit: KatieThebeau via photopin cc<
Missing a Piece of the Puzzle
Dubious circumstances. It is during these times that the hand of God is moving us in a direction; sometimes it is just a matter of remaining obedient in the small things and allowing the Lord to work out the way before us. We will not always see the end result or know the why and wherefore of our particular situation. Paul was facing the wrath of the Pharisees and Sadducees while arguing for the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And, we find the next evening, the Lord appears to Paul and tells him, "Take courage!" This was not the end for Paul or the mission God had given him; the Lord was moving him to Rome.
Divine Direction. Paul experienced the Lord's appearance at this juncture and His deliverance. Just when Paul might have thought it was all over, the Lord reminded Him of His purpose and plan. While Paul did not see any other options in front of him, the Lord saw the beginning from the end with Paul and continued to work through him.
Take Courage!
In the most perplexing circumstances we can rely upon the Divine Deliverer to provide Divine Direction.
*Any quotes not original with Jennifer Joy and used in a post are credited to the original author within the content of the post.
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