Acts 23:12-35 | When God's Promises Are Hard to BelieveSample

Overwhelming Protection

There’s a story in 2 Kings 6 where the prophet Elisha continually warns the King of Israel of where the Arameans are waiting in ambush. It infuriates the king of Aram so badly that he sends a small army to capture Elisha. The next morning, Elisha and his servant wake up to find themselves surrounded. His servant cries out in fear with an “Oh, no! What shall we do?” But look at what Elisha tells him:

“Don’t be afraid… Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And then Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around (2 Kings 6:8-23, NIV).

Paul is holed up in the barracks with over 40 men bent on killing him. What does God do? He works in the heart of a Roman commander who provides a military escort of nearly 500 Roman crack troops and cavalry to personally escort Paul to safety in Caesarea to appear before the Roman Governor, Felix.

Jesus’s words always come true.

We’ve already seen that God sometimes uses everyday things to carry out his promises. And when God keeps his promises, he’ll often remind us of just how overwhelming his power and protection is.

We’ll face challenges and threats for being obedient to God. At times, we might be overwhelmed by the staggering nature of what we face, wondering where God is in all of this. But God is always faithful to his promises, and God is always there, behind the scenes.

When Jesus was hunted down and seized by some Jews bent on killing him, one of his disciples lashed out in desperate futility at the overwhelming force that stood against them. But look at what Jesus says:

“Put your sword back in its place… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matt 26:52-54, NIV).

At his authority were more than twelve legions of angels. Jesus had no doubt in God’s promises. But Jesus was there to fulfill them.

Flashing back to Elisha, what’s incredible in that story is Elisha had his enemies right where he wanted them. God had them surrounded; Elisha had God strike them with blindness and could have killed them. Instead, Elisha leads them into the center of God’s people, God’s invitation, and God’s will. Which means rather than killing them, he blesses them by showing them the abundance of God, the blessing of God, the mercy of God, and the grace of God by sparing their lives and throwing them a feast. He shows them a path towards hope and salvation in the one true God. He shows them God’s ultimate will.

With Paul, too.

Because God’s promises will not be thwarted. But God is not out to destroy those who stand against them. He’s out to invite them into his promises, too.

Prayer

When you’re wavering, ask God to show you what he’s doing behind the scenes. Ask him to fulfill his promises in ways that defy your imagination. Ask God for mercy on those who stand against him.