Courage from His Promise

God's purpose in our life is not always easy. In fact, though it may be spiritually rewarding, most of the time it is difficult. But, God does provide us with a promise. Repeatedly throughout scripture, he promises his presence.

When Joshua was assuming leadership of the nation of Israel from Moses, God told him:

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people …" (Joshua 1)

To the exiled nation of Israel he said:

"For I know the plans I have for you, … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

(Acts 23) Paul took courage in the promise of God -- God was still working through him to complete a specific mission in launching the campaign to open up the gospel to the Gentiles. As he was in jail and facing harsh opposition from the Jews with several near death experiences, Jesus said to him, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." Jerusalem was not the end for Paul.

Paul was facing a inquiry before the Sanhedrin. The Roman commander was still trying to understand what he had done to prompt the Jews to want to kill him. The Romans were watching as Paul spoke before the Pharisees and Saducees. Paul remained stedfast in his resolve for his purpose, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day." Paul wrote against the dangers of division in many of his letters to the churches. At this time, he used this tactic against his accusers to cause confusion. He said, "I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead." The belief in life after death was a topic of debate between the Pharisees (believed in life after death) and the Saducees (said there was no resurrection). In the ensuing melee, Paul was removed to jail for his own safety. It was at this time that Jesus spoke to him of his mission in Rome. God was still with him and still working out his purpose in his life.

Ironically, or more aptly, divinely, God often sends the first test after his promise to see if we have placed our trust in him. In verse 12, we see that the next morning (immediately after the promise had been given to Paul), "the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath … until they had killed Paul." We don't know exactly what Paul was thinking as this new conspiracy was uncovered, but given that his faith had been tested and God's promises proven many times before in his life, I'm confident that he continued to trust that God would provide the escape. In the face of this new attempt, God provided a deliverance through the warning of Paul's nephew to the Roman soldier. The Roman soldier sent Paul to the governor of the region -- he was on his first step in making the journey to Rome … as Jesus had promised.

In giving his commission to his followers, Jesus left us with the same promise, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Take courage in his promise.