Acts 23:23–35 (NKJV)
23 And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; 24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:
Acts 23:23-25
26 Claudius Lysias,
To the most excellent governor Felix:
Greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council. 29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. 30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him.
Farewell.
Acts 23:26-30
31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks. 33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.
Acts 23:31-35
The commander of the soldiers in Jerusalem knew he could not wait to take action on Paul’s behalf. He summoned a strong group of men, including soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen, to accompany Paul to Caesarea to meet with Felix the governor of the region. He would hear the Council’s charges against Paul, and make a determination as to the best action. They left at about 9:00 pm, after most Jews would be in their homes for the night. He explained the situation in the letter, primarily pointing out that Paul was a Roman citizen, accused of crimes against the Jewish religious laws. When Festus saw the group of soldiers and Paul and read the letter, he stated that he would hear the charges against him when his accusers arrived. The trial would take place in Herod’s Praetorium. The commander in Jerusalem saw something in Paul. Besides the fact that he was a Roman citizen, it seemed that he saw something worth defending in Paul, and made sure that he would receive a fair trial, and that he would be safe from attack. God again put people in Paul’s life that would work for his good. God will do the same for you if you will only trust Him.
Sometimes we trust others, trust ourselves, etc., and that plan does not get us where we need to go. Trust God and believe that the source of your help may not look like you thought it would. God will always, though, bring you help in your time of need. Pray and seek His face and know that you will not fail nor succumb to an attack of the enemy, for God’ calling on you necessitates His provision for you. You can count on God. He will protect you, and the enemy will not harm you, not on His watch!
Artwork from https://woodlandonline.org/tonight-acts-2312-35-pauls-midnight-run-to-caesarea/
Devoted To You 