WEDNESDAY January 31, 2024

Character in the Face of Adversity

But Festus ... answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?” So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
Acts 25:9-11

The chief priests and the elders had falsely accused Paul. He knew if he went to Jerusalem, he was a dead man. He recognized the viciousness of these men and what they were trying to do––kill him. He sought a fair trial as he was a Roman Citizen. He was not within a Jewish court setting. At present, he stood in a court of Rome, under the authority of Festus.

Besides, going to Jerusalem meant Paul would be out of the perfect will of God. The Lord had already told Paul he would stand before Nero in Rome. So if he agreed and went to Jerusalem, he would be out of God’s will, so he was wise to appeal to Caesar.

What can we learn from Paul’s character and responses in the face of such adversity? He showed great patience, self-control, courage, and even love toward his accusers. He had spoken truthfully, with boldness and without fear, knowing that he was in the hands of God.

In your own personal life, when you seek the will of God, He will show it to you. Then, by faith, you need to make a decision, even in the face of opposition, to obey His will. If ever you are falsely accused, speak the truth without any lies or deception, and God will be with you. Stand in righteousness––without compromise. This is important!

One beautiful thing to be aware of in your life is that you are in the hands of God. Nothing happens by coincidence. What God has allowed in your life is for His purposes. When bad things happen, often we panic. We lose the sense of the presence of God. He is on the throne! He is moving behind the scenes. Be still––He knows what He is doing in your life.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
~Helen Keller~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!