Unstoppable! 'Letter to Governor Felix' — Acts 23:23-26

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

[After hearing of the plan to kill Paul,] the commander called two of his officers and ordered, "Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o'clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix." Then he wrote this letter to the governor:

"From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!"
— Acts 23:23-26 NLT

Key Thought

As the commander developed a plan to protect Paul from the plot to assassinate him,* the commander made preparations for Paul to get safely escorted away from the dangerous situation around Jerusalem and to Caesarea. As a Roman city with a strong Roman army and governmental presence, Paul would be safe there. His legal case could be heard more fairly. So, the commander did what he was legally required to do: Protect Paul as a Roman citizen and provide documents for his transfer and legal handling by Roman authorities. From the commander's point of view, he was "just doing his job." God used his faithfulness to his job to deliver Paul and begin the process that would lead the apostle to Rome as the Lord had promised him. I wonder how many times God has blessed others by our faithfully "just doing our job." If God could use a Roman commander in this way, he can certainly use you and me!

* See Acts 23:12-13, 19-21 for details.

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, please use my life and my influence at work and play and among friends to lead those around me closer to Jesus. May my life display his love and grace as I seek to work with integrity and influence others toward Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:15-17, 23-24
  • Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Peter 3:15-16

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 23:23-26 NLT — [After hearing of the plan to kill Paul,] the commander called two of his officers and ordered, "Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o'clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix." Then he wrote this letter to the governor: "From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!"

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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