Picture yourself in this courtroom. Arrested for starting a riot with his words, Paul stood before a powerful religious court. Humanly speaking, his fate was fully in their hands. Still, Paul did not flinch. Instead, he looked straight into the eyes of his accusers (Acts 23:1). When the priest ordered him struck, Paul did not cower. Even when the dispute became so violent “the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart” (v.10), Paul’s knees never buckled.
Trade places with Paul in your mind. Could you look powerful accusers in the eye, knowing they could have you executed with a wave of their hand? Could you stand the heat of their accusations without melting? Personal experience has taught me that my insides would more likely turn to jelly. My hands would shake. Words would fail me. On my own, I don’t have what it takes to endure this kind of pressure. Which makes me wonder: What truth kept Paul’s knees from knocking? What was the rod of steel that ran up his back really made from? More than moxie was required in this moment. His was a response to meeting the Messiah. Paul was doing more than making his mark on the pages of history as he stood before the court; he was showcasing the gospel.
Hebrews 10 describes another courtroom. Let’s imagine ourselves there. It’s not Sadducees and Pharisees who sit behind this bench, but God Himself. Humanly speaking, we can expect the gavel to drop because we are guilty. Each of us has violated the holiness of God. We deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the Law. Still, we can enter this courtroom just like Paul entered his, with confidence. Though the high priest in Paul’s case wished him struck, Jesus, our High Priest, took the blows upon Himself.
There are times when I fear that the weight of my own sin might tear me apart, moments when I am suddenly and painfully aware that I don’t deserve to be in the presence of a holy God. You have those moments too: when a sin you thought you were free of suddenly ensnares you again, when you catch the idol factory of your heart churning out something or someone new to worship, when you’ve tried and failed to live like Scripture calls you to live. When those moments come, we share in Paul’s defense. “It is with respect to the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial” (v.6 ESV). It’s not that the gavel will not fall, but rather it has already fallen on Jesus at Calvary. What the Lord spoke to Paul in his hour of need He speaks to us in ours. “Take courage” (v.11 ESV). Heads high. Palms steady. Pulses slow. Because of our High Priest, Jesus “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22).
happy birthday Taylor
It looks like my post got cut off some how. I would just like to ask for co to yes prayer from you all for health for our baby and peace of mind. I have been feeling attacked by a spirit of fear over the past few days. ERB so thankful for answered prayers on your behalf! Taylor happy birthday. TheBestisYettoCome I will pray for your court date next week.
Helen S I love that verse it is the lock screen on my phone. How sweet you get to say it to your son ever night. Ladies if I may ask for continued prayer for myself, after the wonderful results we had during our ultrasound on Monday for some inexplicable reason I started to feel some anxiety about the next 20 weeks to go. I trust God in his benevolence and omnipotence but I still need prayer for this spirit of fear to leave me. ERB so thankful for answered prayers on your behalf, I have felt moved this week to pray for you! Happy birthday Taylor! TheBestisYettoCome, bless you for fostering and I will pray for your court date next week.
Oh my!! Erin asked some questions that I, like her, don’t know if I can have the courage and “where with all” Paul and the other disciples and apostles had to stand firm. I might be able to stand firm for myself but if my family were to start to be involved (threatened) I don’t know if I could handle that. Erin’s last paragraph really got me to thinking, also.
I learned something new from Scripture today, Acts 23:8 “for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these.”, the difference between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
I read a little further in Hebrews (verses 23-25) and I think we can all benefit from hearing/reading this, “23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Those promises are greatly needed in my life right now.
Sisters, remember God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are always there for you. They want to celebrate the good times and help you through the bad. Be blessed and rely on the Lord always and have a great weekend.
Paul’s life is truly a testament to how far we can go to serve Christ. I know that I fall short of serving if I compare myself and my actions to Paul. But God doesn’t ask me to do more than other Christians, he wants me to utilize the gifts given to me to accomplish his work. My women’s study group is currently studying the book of Haggai and a takeaway recently has been to focus on what we can do and are asked to do. It is easy to look at other’s and compare ourselves. May God give me the ability to slow down and listen to him, to pray for his guidance in all matters, and to serve where I am able.
Prayers for you all in your journey this week. ERB, Dorothy, Taylor, Angie, Maura, Tracy — following your posts and praying for you. God bless you all.
Helen S I love that verse it is the lock screen on my phone. How sweet you get to say it to your son ever night. Ladies if I may ask for continued prayer for myself, after the wonderful resultswe
Hi ladies. I have been studying with SRT for awhile now and read all the comments but rarely comment myself. I would like to ask for prayer for my 16 year old niece. I found out yesterday she lost a friend and it sounds like it may have been suicide. Please pray for my niece and all the friends and family of this young girl that are devastated from this loss. Thank you!
Mari, I’m also praying for your healing. I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through. May God continue to show up in your life and mend your heart from this separation.