SATURDAY January 13, 2024
Rescued in the Night
So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.” And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
Acts 23:22-24
Paul’s nephew revealed what he had overheard to the Roman commander. The Jews were plotting to kill his uncle. The commander told the young man, “Do not say anything to anybody,” and he gave him leave. Look what God did for Paul! During the night, the commander ordered his army to protect him! Before the Jews had a chance to do anything, he readied 470 fighting men to bring him to Felix the governor in Caesarea. In this instance, God used men to rescue Paul, but He can use angels, too.
Do you remember the story of King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 19? He was inside the Temple praying, because 185,000 Assyrians outside had surrounded the city of Jerusalem. Everyone in the city was so fearful and worried; nobody could sleep. God told the king, “Do not worry. Go to sleep; I got this!”
Now if 185,000 soldiers surrounded your home, do you think you would go to sleep? You would say to the Lord, “Did you look outside? We are surrounded! They are so close, almost to the doorstep!”
Hezekiah did go to sleep. In the morning, he quickly jumped up to look over the city wall. He could not believe his eyes; the entire Assyrian army was dead! During the night, the Lord had sent one angel to kill them all.
When Jesus was arrested, Peter sought to rescue Him with his sword; but Jesus stopped him and said that He could pray to His Father, and He would send twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:52-53).
Think about it. Have you ever been in a crash, and your car was totaled, but nothing happened to you? It might be that an angel of the Lord protected you so that you were not killed.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
~Psalm 34:7~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
