Finally, at Rome!
Another of God’s countless promises has been fulfilled. Way back in Acts 23:8 the Apostle was assured: “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, SO MUST THOU BEAR WITNESS ALSO AT ROME.”
Many confrontations later, many perils too …
“And when WE CAME TO ROME, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.” Acts 28:16
Remember, Paul is not at liberty.
Fearing for his life (the Jews around Jerusalem and Caesarea would have certainly put him to death) and being a Roman citizen … Paul appealed unto Caesar!
But Rome did not house prisoners for long. They had no facilities for “long term” incarceration! The accused was thrown into jail, tried quickly … and either acquitted or killed!
And yet … look what Paul experienced!
Talk about the caring Hand of God!
He is not (at this time) thrown into a dungeon! (As was the case a few years later, in his “second Roman imprisonment.”) Or congregated with a bunch of disease-ridden ruffians! Or summarily tried and executed!
He is allowed to “dwell by himself,” with apparently (merely) one soldier by his side.
This is called (normally unheard of) kindness!
And from one of the cruelest governments ever to rule the world!
How did this happen?
A kind Centurion, speaking well of Paul?
A Captain of the Guard who was just in a good mood that day?
“Luck, fate, happenstance?” (I think not!)
This tenderness was the result of the mighty Hand of God (no doubt using a dozen other influences as well) blessing Paul with a “token for good!” (Psalm 86:17, a prayer: “Show me a token for good.”)
That’s my Point today …
Learn to appreciate the “little kind acts, gracious deeds” extended you through a given week!
In fact, look for them!
Count them!
Accent them!
Then use them as catalysts to “worship” our dear Lord!
After all … “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
And Psalm 68:19 as well … “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
One of the first steps downhill for any society is their becoming “unthankful!” See Romans 1:21 … “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, NEITHER WERE THANKFUL; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
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