The beloved physician Luke wrote how Claudius Lysias wrote a letter to the governor Felix concerning Paul the apostle, and afterwards soldiers and horsemen, “took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle. Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia”, in chapter twenty-three and verse thirty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Felix said, “I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come” where we read:
I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come.
And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
The verse begins, “I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come.” Luke began with the words, “I will hear you” which means “I, Felix the governor, will be endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding you, Paul”, “said he” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed Felix”, “when your accusers are also come” which means “at the time and moment your, Paul's, complainants even so and indeed arise and appear”. Luke shared how “Felix the governor” told “Paul” he would listen to what “Paul” had to say after his “accusers or complainants” arrived.
The verse goes on to say, “And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.” Luke continued with the words, “and he commanded him” which means “and Felix the governor ordered and mandated Paul” “to be kept in Herod's judgment hall” or “to be guarded and watched over within the praetorian which was the head-quarters in a Roman camp or the tent of the commander-in-chief”. Luke shared how “Felix the governor” ordered “Paul” to be guarded in the “praetorian” where the “soldiers” were camped.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Felix the governor” would not “listen” to “Paul” before those who had complaints against him came. In other words, there would be a delay for “Paul” to make a defense for himself. “Paul” was on God's schedule, and sometimes there are delays. We, like Paul, should always be mindful that God sees and knows our situations. His plan for spreading the gospel was continuing, and He was using all these people and the delay for His purpose and will. He loves everyone, and He desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will not delay in their surrender to Jesus lest they forgo their own forgiveness of sins and everlasting life with God. They should remember, they are on “God's time” and realize His delays are only meant to fulfill His desires in the world.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how Felix says, “after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, … and informed the governor against Paul.”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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