Acts 24: How to Wait on God When Nothing Seems to Change

If you've ever waited impatiently at the microwave or wished it would hurry up, then Acts 24 is for you. (And by the way, if you do that, you and I are on the same "wavelength". Snicker. Snicker.") Five days later Ananias the high priest, the elders and Tertullus a lawyer and skilled orator arrived in Caesarea. First, he flatters Felix, then makes 3 charges against Paul.   5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,  6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.    10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: "Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.   Paul was concise and confident. I arrived in Jerusalem to worship in the temple no more than 12 days ago. They never saw me arguing in the temple or stirring up trouble on the streets. They cannot prove I committed any of these accusations. 18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia   19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.    22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, "When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case."    23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.   Felix continued to call for Paul to speak with him, hoping for a bribe (Acts 24:26). Felix was deeply affected but never publicly acted on the gospel that Paul shared.   His political delay stretched Paul's detention to two full years.   So, day after day Paul WAITED. WAIT is a hard four-lettered word. It can fill days with… ·         Uncertainty ·         Impatience ·         Fear ·         Doubt ·         Pressure ·         Restlessness ·         Lack of Control ·         Silence ·         Delay   But Paul had experienced hard things before, so I believe Paul learned to roll that HARD WORD "wait" over on Jesus.   I believe that because, at his very core, Paul trusted God. His… ·         timing. ·         ability. ·         love.  He believed God could use delays for His purposes (Romans 8:28)   Paul never gives the churches a detailed emotional diary of his two‑year confinement under Felix, but he does write about his feelings, pressures, fears, and inner battles during a season of suffering.   2 Corinthians 1: 8 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia.  We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  9 Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,  11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.   When I tell you Paul's ministry was "hard", it was way beyond spilling your coffee on yourself as you're coming out of the drive thru! Look at his list of hardships.   Paul lists his hardships in 2 Corinthians 11 23 …in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.    24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.   25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.   26 In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers,    27 in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure.   28 Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.    29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?     Paul had plenty of opportunities to quit! But he didn't! How did he do it? Really, how did he do it?   Were there some practices or beliefs that kept him going? I know the overarching truth is Paul simply walked with God--day by day, minute by minute and when he did, God did. Almighty God walked with Paul. He met Paul right where he was--day by day, minute by minute!   In his letters I see some practical advice that I believe helped Paul to stand firm when life got incredibly hard.   He saw hardship as a process               that God uses to shape you, not an enemy to avoid.   Romans 5:2–5 BSB …And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.   He learned to receive God's Comfort 2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.   Don't worry Philippians 4:6–7 NIV  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds  as you live in Christ Jesus.   Lean Into the Strength of Christ Philippians 4:12 I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation— to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.  13 I can do all things through  Christ who gives me strength   These truths were not abstract — they were lived.   Father, help us to be strong believers that dare to believe you when troubles and trials come. Remind us that you have given us weapons that work, that you have already defeated satan and that we are overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.   Want To Be Stronger?   Join me every Saturday for faith-filled encouragement, inspiring articles, and helpful resources delivered right to your inbox. I'd love to connect with you! Or subscribe to this podcast on your favorite Podcast Provider.