KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 25:14. “And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, there is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: “

Apostle Paul was unduly held in bonds by Governor Felix. Festus, the successor of Felix, came to meet Paul, and Paul had the opportunity to share the good news with him as well. Around that time, King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, whom Josephus the historian wrote about, lived as a man and his wife. They also came to Caesarea to visit the new governor. They also had the opportunity to see Paul and hear the good news of salvation from him.

All these men were highly placed individuals in the society, who could not in any way have HEARD the gospel in the way Paul had to present it to them. God, in his wisdom, created the conditions and opportunity for them to hear this great news. All these events show God’s wisdom in allowing Paul to desire to go to Jerusalem, although all the brethren warned him against going.

Once again, I wish to state that the Holy Spirit may reveal an event which will happen in the future, yet there is a need to ask for His candid instruction about what has been revealed. You do not react to the revelation negatively because it carries something supposedly bad. When the Lord Jesus told the disciples about his suffering in the arms of the religious leaders, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Mt 16:22 “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” The Lord quickly reacted and said to Peter. In Matthew 16:23, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men”.

God does not see things as men in their fleshly minds see and think. Apostle Paul had the glorious opportunity to speak to these leaders, including all who were with them in the palace. These events portray a very clear point: that is, the voice of the people is not always the voice of God. The bible said that throughout the journeys of Paul, the brethren in every city he got to, prophesied to him that bonds and afflictions await him. Paul, like the Lord Jesus, could not be swayed from his path because he knew what the Lord had said to him. God does not change his word. Num 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? “If you succeed in getting God to change His word, then you have entered into his permissive will. Under His permissive will, any evil thing could happen to you, yet He is not obliged in any way to save you.

CONFESSION

God is not a man to repent. God is always right in His dealings, and I believe whatever He says. I will accept whatever He says, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. He may lead me around, but He will surely lead me aright

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.

Malachi 3:6.” For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed”.