DECEMBER 27, Acts 23:12-27

Today’s text tells us of a plot to kill Paul.
One of Satan’s plots to stop the spread of the gospel is to destroy God’s messengers. Satan would not let Paul off, influencing at least 40 Jews to want to take the apostle’s life. These killers conspired with the Sanhedrin to have Paul questioned before the council and while Paul was on the way to the hearing court, to ambush and kill him. Their plot was found out by Paul’s nephew who informed the Roman chief captain. Believing the lad’s story to be plausible, the chief captain sent Paul to Caesarea by night under heavy escort of many soldiers. In this way, Paul escaped death. God was sovereign. Paul was later kept in a castle in Caesarea.

The writer also had a close shave with death. When I was about ten years old, I was almost knocked down by a fast-moving vehicle. I was crossing the road at the traffic lights when it was my right of way. Suddenly out of nowhere, a vehicle zoomed past right in front of me! I could even feel the quick brush of the wind before me. A friend who was with me said I “turned white”! Was it “luck”? No, there is no “luck” in the life of a Christian. God was sovereign and kind to me.

Apostle Paul almost died, so did the writer. Are you afraid of death? Have you or a loved one been close to death because of a serious illness or a major operation? Or you have never thought about this since you are young. If you are a Christian, take heart for God says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15). God’s children will go to heaven and live with God after they die; this is the promise of God. If a person is not a Christian, he would be punished and when he dies, will suffer in hell separated from God.

Today is the day of salvation. Will you believe that Jesus, the Son of God came from heaven and suffered and died for our sins and three days later He rose from the dead? Believe in Jesus and you will be saved.

Thought: Escape from the lack of faith, believe in the Bible!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You love children and I am precious to You. I believe in Jesus as my Saviour and will hold on to Your promise of heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.