Except for These ChainsSýnishorn

Prisons are supposed to keep society safe from the actions of people condemned for offenses of various natures, including violent crime. But are prisoners themselves safe from revenge or violence? Paul faced a major problem of this nature after his arrest in Jerusalem. He was taken into custody by the Romans while the Jews were trying to lynch him outside the Temple. But just a couple of days later, a conspiracy was formed against him by forty men with the complicity of the chief priests and elders. The idea was very simple – ask that Paul be brought again before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Council) on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here (Acts 23:15).

Paul had no way of defending himself against this plot, but God made a way for him. Paul’s nephew somehow got wind of the conspiracy. He shared this with Paul who got him to speak to the commander of the garrison in confidence. The commander was in debt to Paul because after the arrest he had given orders to torture Paul to find out why there had been a public uproar about him, only to learn at the last moment that Paul was a Roman citizen and could not be treated in this way. The commander therefore arranged for Paul to be transferred that very night to the governor’s palace at Caesaria with an armed escort of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen (Acts 23:23). This was more than enough to keep forty conspirators at bay had they learned about it!

As we saw in yesterday’s meditation, Paul had received a promise directly from God in prison: he would have the opportunity to testify in Rome. Exposing the conspiracy and surrounding Paul with so many soldiers was God’s way of protecting Paul from violence. Before testifying in Rome, Paul would have the opportunity to witness to two governors, a king, the chief man of the island of Malta, and many others.

At every stage of our lives, we should entrust our safety to God whose Infinite Resources are available to His children. As we trust in God, David’s words can become true for each of us: In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalms 4:8).