When playing sports as a boy I remember the experience of a “second wind”. I would play for awhile and begin to experience exhaustion, but as I continued I experienced an unexpected surge of renewed energy. Life is hard at times, even for people who are obedient to Jesus Christ. Though God allows such times, He is present to help us. In the course of 48 hours the Apostle Paul experienced a succession of events that would discourage the strongest person. It was a very exhausting time in his life and he needed a “second wind”.
The record of this grueling scenario begins in Acts 21:17. Paul was in Jerusalem and after giving the church leaders a report on his missionary ministry he was asked to join four brothers who were going through purification rites to demonstrate to other Jerusalem believers Paul’s respect for the law. Paul agreed to do so and upon entering the temple was falsely accused of teaching against the law and bringing gentiles into the temple. “The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple” where they tried to kill him. The Roman authorities intervened saving Paul’s life. As they were taking him away, he asked to address the crowd. Receiving the commander’s permission he proceeded to tell them of his conversion. When he said the Lord told him to go to the gentiles the crowd raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live.” This ministry experience was not going well.
Next the commander ordered Paul be taken to the barracks, beaten, and questioned. As the soldiers were preparing to flog him, Paul told them he was a Roman citizen and narrowly avoided a severe beating. Then the next day he was taken before the Sanhedrin where he rebuked the high priest. The priest ordered that Paul be struck on the mouth and Paul in anger said, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall. You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” When he was told he was speaking to the high priest he said, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest for it is written, ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’” Uncontrolled anger, back-pedalling, damage control – it was not going well.
Paul then seized upon the theological disagreements of the Pharisees and Sadducees by declaring himself a Pharisee. The two groups began to argue and physically pull Paul in different directions to the point the Roman commander was afraid he would be pulled to pieces. He rescued Paul from the violence, and imprisoned him in the barracks. “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” Acts 23:11.
First of all, the Lord was with Paul in this dark moment. Second, He imparted courage. Third, He provided divine perspective when He said, “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem”. From a human perspective Paul’s ministry effort in Jerusalem was a failure, but not in the view of the Lord. There were no souls added to the kingdom, no churches planted, and no additions to the existing church in Jerusalem. But, Paul did what God wanted him to do. Fourth, He gave Paul hope for the future.
The Lord provided Paul a “second wind” with this brief encouraging word. I imagine Paul slept well that night in the assurance of the Lord’s pleasure. I know there are seasons and places where we can do our very best in Christ and see minimal results. If that is where you are, be encouraged in the Lord.
“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1b-3a
Seeking to be faithful in seedtime and harvest,
Don Steiger
