Verse: Acts 24:22-27
Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Devotion:
Quick recap- Paul is on trial for inciting riots among the Jews. The Jewish leaders who are accusing him have presented their accusations to Felix, the governor of that area, and Paul has defended himself, and admitted to being a follower of the Way.
Felix is interested, and brings his Jewish wife with him, to hear Paul speak about his beliefs. He gets scared and stops him. He is kept in prison, but it seems like the kind of prison where he is given a decent amount of privileges, so he isn’t exactly bound with chains in this instance. However, 2 years go by! And at the end of his term, Felix leaves him there.
This is incredible – 2 years in prison, seemingly on a whim. Paul is repeatedly speaking into Felix’s life, though. Who knows the impact this had? It’s not a fact we are given. Paul also is being protected from plots to kill him, which crop up again in the next chapter. So, for all we know, this is the safest place for him to continue preaching the gospel. For me, I am put in my place when it comes to the anxiety that I deal with on a regular basis. So many fears, when, if I could but see the larger picture, I would know with such certainty, that I am not forgotten. That I am loved, provided for, protected.
Not that no harm will come to me, but that I’m not just blowing in the wind without a purpose. I’m invited in. I can choose to enter. I can be used in spite of myself. All my attempts at obedience are possibilities, even if they don’t work out how I want or expect. And the things that cause me anxiety, well, there’s nothing I can change by worrying. And I can present all those things to God, and know that he sees me, and is creating a beautiful thing, in which I can partake. It doesn’t fix everything. But it changes my perspective, and I can lean in to life and what God has for me better.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are always with me. You walk beside me and you know what I need. You know all my fears and my failures, but you also know my successes in a way that I cannot. Thank you for your love and care. Thank you for all the ways that you have shown me your goodness. Help me to feel the depth of your faithfulness in a new way. Amen.
Author: Emily Costa
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