Take Courage

Luke describes a murderous plot and rescue mission in Acts 23.

In one of Apostle Paul’s most helpless moments, God provided courage and deliverance. He used the lesser known nephew of Paul to carry out a rescue mission.

The nephew became a courageous agent in the strategic mission of God. God’s presence, promise and providence are evident in Luke’s detailed record of what happened.

1. God’s presence develops sensitivity. The unnamed nephew was alert. He was listening and watching and discerning. He understood the weight of someone else’s situation. The presence of God that enveloped Paul aroused the sensitivity of this young man.
2. God’s promise is always accompanied with a sense of urgency. God had promised Paul a great mission ahead, but someone needed to act swiftly. The young man might have sensed the great mission plan of God for his uncle. This might have given him divine boldness to do what is right.
3. God’s providence becomes effective by maintaining discretion. God prepared a young missionary to save the life of an older missionary. And in what would feel like a frantic moment, remaining prudent was crucial for the mission to be accomplished.

Like the young missionary nephew, expect God to use your thoughts, words and deeds in this strategic time and place. Paul’s nephew was not placed there by accident — and neither are you.

May your eyes and ears be sensitive to the needs of the people around you. When God prompts you to intercede or intervene for someone, do it straight away. Please maintain urgency and caution towards the plan of the Lord.

You are useful to God in His mission. Who knows, God has placed you here to save lives.

God’s ways are extraordinary. He used Paul’s nephew to move Paul to Caesarea and Rome where Paul wrote Holy Spirit-inspired letters that are invaluable today.

Be assured of Christ’s presence, promise and providence. Take courage and move forward on His mission.

Adapted from the sermon, “Take Courage" by Santosh Abraham (October 21, 2018).

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