In this word from Jesus, Paul is reminded that, despite all the ugliness he has endured, he is not abandoned. Literally, Jesus says to Paul, “It’s going to be all right.” Paul feels defeated and discouraged, wallowing in an awful sense of shame and failure. But Jesus promises Paul success in the desire of his heart—to bear witness for Christ in Rome.
The words Jesus uses with Paul contain a hint of the how Paul would minister in Rome: “You have given witness about me in Jerusalem. You must do the same in Rome.” The emphasis here is on the manner in which this witness will proceed. Paul had testified in Jerusalem as a prisoner—chained, bound, physically limited. Jesus is telling Paul, “As it was, so shall it be.”
Often, our reassurances from Christ about those things that we desire are accompanied with the reality that we may not receive them in the way that we initially imagined. We must allow for God’s sovereignty.
There are several lessons implied in this incident:
(1) Even God’s most faithful servants will suffer discouragement and despair.
(2) Encouragement comes from the Lord. Though God uses people to encourage us, God is the Source of true comfort and encouragement. In God’s character, power, promises and purposes, we find hope.
(3) Reassurance is reminding us of something we already know, but have either forgotten or doubted. Paul was not told anything new by Jesus, but only reassured that what he had been told was still going to happen.
(4) Encouragement is rooted in our faithfulness and obedience to the task God has given. Paul’s testimony in Jerusalem had not been successful by his standard. But the Lord told him that he had completed his task of solemnly witnessing to His cause in that city.
There is always more work to be done. There is joy in knowing God has graciously chosen to use us (I Timothy 1:12-17).
(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com)
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