He is Able

Acts 21:31-39

English Standard Version (ESV)

³¹ And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. ³² He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³ Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. ³⁴ Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. ³⁵ And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, ³⁶ for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”

³⁷ As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? ³⁸ Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” ³⁹ Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+21%3A31-39&version=ESV)

Riots are so ridiculous.  Most of the people at them don’t even know what the issue is about.  They all bring their own set of anger to the riot and words begin to fly.  This is what was happening in the passage for today.  There was so much confusion that the left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing!  I believe God created this confusion for a reason.  On another note, I thought it was a little odd that they brought in the man that was beaten rather than those that were his attackers!

I found it interesting that about the time that Paul was close to safety he asked if he could speak once more.  Surprisingly enough,  they let him do so.   This was odd since they really didn’t want to cause more trouble.   This brings me to the question of the day.  When danger comes our way, do we face it with the love of Christ or do we run away from it?

Seek Him and know that He is worth every bit of ridicule and hurtfulness we might get from others.  He is able.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila