Unstoppable! 'God of Deliverance!' — Acts 24:1

Sunday, November 10, 2024

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Five days [after the Roman troops took Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea,] Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor.

— Acts 24:1 NLT

Key Thought

The Jewish leaders despised Paul and his preaching about Jesus. They were determined to get rid of him. Their plan was to send a strong show of force and power to Caesarea and Governor Felix to try to bring Paul back to Jerusalem for trial and execution similar to what they had done with Jesus. The attempt to get rid of Paul reminds me so much of the book of Daniel and the work of those who despised the Jews and tried to get rid of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by having them legally executed.* Just as God delivered Daniel's Jewish friends from their Babylonian accusers and later Daniel from his accusers, God delivered Paul from these Jewish accusers — as we will see in the coming days. Our God is the God of deliverance. He will rescue us from our accusers and give us freedom or deliver us through their attacks into his eternal presence and comfort.** Our hope and deliverance are in the hands of the Lord who loves us!

* See the first set of Related Scripture Readings.
** See the second set of Related Scripture Readings.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, your children in challenging places in the world today are facing persecution. Some of them feel alone as they face the threat of imprisonment and even death. Open the eyes of your people to those who are suffering and in danger. Use us to work for their freedom. Most of all, dear Father, please make your presence known to them, so they don't feel alone. Please deliver them from the hand of those who oppose and persecute them and seek their death. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Daniel 2:48-49, 3:1-30, 6:1-28
  • Philippians 1:12-26

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 24:1 NLT — Five days [after the Roman troops took Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea,] Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor.

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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