Today is June 30

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of Acts, chapter 23 – the MSG version.

11 That night the Master appeared to Paul: “It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best. You’ve been a good witness for me here in Jerusalem. Now you’re going to be my witness in Rome!”
12 Next day the Jews worked up a plot against Paul. They took a solemn oath that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed him.
16–17 Paul’s nephew, his sister’s son, overheard them plotting the ambush. He went immediately to the barracks and told Paul. Paul called over one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the captain. He has something important to tell him.”
18 The centurion brought him to the captain and said, “The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He said he has something urgent to tell you.”
19 The captain took him by the arm and led him aside privately. “What is it? What do you have to tell me?”
20–21 Paul’s nephew said, “The Jews have worked up a plot against Paul. They’re going to ask you to bring Paul to the council first thing in the morning on the pretext that they want to investigate the charges against him in more detail. But it’s a trick to get him out of your safekeeping so they can murder him. Right now there are more than forty men lying in ambush for him. They’ve all taken a vow to neither eat nor drink until they’ve killed him. The ambush is set—all they’re waiting for is for you to send him over.”
22 The captain dismissed the nephew with a warning: “Don’t breathe a word of this to a soul.”

This is a story of a plot against Paul’s life. But interestingly, the story begins with the words “It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best...”. How does this juxtaposition make you feel... these words of consolation and hope, followed by a story of impending doom?

Do you ever feel caught between faith and fear? Or deliverance and doom? Can you imagine being Paul in this situation? The Lord spoke a word of encouragement to him, and the next day, he woke up to bad news. Put yourself in Paul’s place as you listen to the scripture again. Remember that Paul doesn’t know the end of the story. He has no control over the situation. How would you feel, if you were in his place?

Is there a place in your reality that feels caught between: “the ambush is set” and “everything is going to turn out for the best”? Maybe you’re facing a frightening diagnosis or difficult treatment. Maybe you’re struggling financially. Whatever feels like an ‘ambush’ to you – can you hold that, and all the concern and anxiety it creates, alongside the truth that God is faithful to you? As we close our time, ask God to give you His peace, even when you don’t feel in control of your own circumstances.

Music Credit:
You Are God - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)