Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 13, 2011

“the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage”

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 22:30 through Acts 23:11.

“30  But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

1  Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.”

2  The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.

3  Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!  Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?”

4  But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

5  And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest;  for it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.’”

 6  But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees;  I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”
 
7  As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
 
8  For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
 
9  And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man;  suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
 
10  And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.
 
 11  But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage;  for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”  Acts 22:30 through Acts 23:11.
 
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The Lord stood at Paul’s side and gave him courage.  The Lord also stands by our side and gives us courage.
 
The Lord does not just tell us to be courageous;  the Lord comes to us, stands by our side, and gives us courage. 
 
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
 
Deuteronomy 31:23
“Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”
 
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
 
1 Chronicles 28:20
“Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.”
 
2 Chronicles 32:7
“Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him;  for the one with us is greater than the one with him.”
 
Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not.  Behold, your God will come with vengeance;  The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.”
 
Haggai 2:4
“But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work;  for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of hosts.”
 
Matthew 14:27
“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I;  do not be afraid.”

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