Acts 24: A Thought on God’s Timing
At the close of Chapter 24, after Paul has defended himself before Felix, Luke tells us Paul remained in jail 2 years from his defense before Felix and the appointment of Festus.
2 years waiting.
2 years waiting, incarcerated, limited to Caesarea—anything and everything but traveling toward Rome. Wait. God had earlier said in Jerusalem after the riots, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” See Acts 23:11. So what gives? Did God err? No.
We know that His word will not return to Him empty, but it will instead accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. See Isaiah 55:11. And we know in this instance His Word did not return empty. Paul did go to Rome and he did testify to the Lord there just as He had said Paul would.
So there is a lesson in here for us. The issue for Paul in Caesarea, and the issue for our restless souls today is “when.”
How long, Lord? It is a plea that has gone up to heaven many times, including by such notable men as Job, David, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, and Zechariah.So we wouldn’t be the first ones to cry out like that. Nor will we be the last ones.
We are often made to wait even when, and perhaps especially when, faith has put the thing in our hand (like “you will testify to me in Rome”).
Yet the Lord is good to those who wait for Him. Lamentations 3:25. We are told, “no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God but You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 64:4. Those who wait upon LORD will renew their strength, soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31. Wonderful, wonderful promises of renewal, exaltation, endurance, and vigor if we will only wait for Him to act.
Admittedly, it is excruciatingly difficult to wait upon God. Abraham had to wait for Isaac, Joseph had to wait for the fulfillment of the dream, Moses had to wait to be the Deliverer, Israel had to wait for her Messiah, and we are waiting for His return. These are quite lengthy periods of time from promise to fulfillment; but they are evidently and repeatedly part of God’s plan.
Take heart. The Lord declares, I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for evil, to give you both a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11.
May we be able to affirm with Paul: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.
