“23 He summoned two of his centurions and said, ‘Get 200 soldiers ready with 70 cavalry and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24 Also provide mounts so they can put Paul on them and bring him safely to Felix the governor.’

25 He wrote a letter of this kind:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To the most excellent governor Felix:

Greetings.

27 When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen. 28 Wanting to know the charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down before their Sanhedrin. 29 I found out that the accusations were about disputed matters in their law, and that there was no charge that merited death or chains. 30 When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers to state their case against him in your presence.

31 Therefore, the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris as they were ordered. 32 The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him. 33 When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 After he read it, he asked what province he was from. So when he learned he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, ‘I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers get here too.’ And he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s  palace.”

Acts 23:23-35

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There are many places where God promises to take care of us when we are being persecuted or brought before authorities. He reassures us that if we are living with integrity in His eyes, being faithful to Him, and people are wronging us because of that, then we can be certain that we are going to be under His watchcare. It doesn’t mean that we will always get immediately out of that situation, or that He is going to repeat what He did with Paul and Silas or with Peter. Earthquakes that open doors and angels that put guards asleep are not what is promised. But God does assure us that He will uphold us in these difficult situations. We should never wonder about His faithfulness when we are standing for Him.

Where we would want to be immediately removed from the uncomfortable situation, God may have other plans in place for us in place. Paul would have the opportunity to witness to governors, kings, emporers and their households because of what was beginning to take place here, not to mention all the guards and other people associated with them along the way. Paul’s arrest and imprisonment would lead to the salvation of many people, right on up to some in the household of Caesar. Other Christians today are being given the same opportunity, to stand as a witness in a dark place, such as Saeed Abedini. There are countless witnesses for God that we would free today if we could, but who are still detained and who are still being used by God for the salvation of many. 

So, what do we do with this? We pray. We pray for those who are held captive. We cry out to God to uphold them in their spirit with His own Spirit. We pray for encouragement, that they would feel the prayers of the saints lifting them up before God. We pray for boldness in their faith and in the faith of their families and loved ones. We pray for their children who miss them so badly. We remember them, we hurt for them, and we speak up for them. 

We trust that God will continue to use them to daily GoLove their captors as we have been entrusted with the responsibility to share in the rhythms of grace with people who would wrong us. Whether mild discomfort or long term harm, we trust that our God is mighty to save, and faithful with His love. PRay that Saeed & all our brothers and sisters in Christ will feel the comfort of God’s love, and that they would hear God’s song over them while they wait in Him.