Nothing

Text: Acts 23:33-Acts 24

Theme: While imprisoned Paul was in a long waiting pattern for no apparently good reason.

Key verses: “When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix….Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters” (chapter 23, v. 33, 35). “Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders…to present their case against Paul…” (chapter 24, v. 1). “…Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, ‘Wait until Lysias…arrives. Then I will decide the case.’ He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs. A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. ‘Go away for now,’ he replied. ‘When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.’ He also hoped Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison” (v. 22-27).

What I believe God said to me: Nothing–or at least, nothing much. Sure, one might find an occasional hint as to why I would leave Paul in prison for over 2 years in Caesarea. But even those would be circumstantial, not solid and humanly justified reasons for Paul to be there. What you know: Paul was unjustly imprisoned. He was in a foreign place to him. He was allowed friends to visit him in prison, but he wasn’t allowed to roam freely outside his prison walls. He was sent for “quite often” by Felix. But scripture indicates that Felix’ primary motive for talking with Paul was greed and the “hope” of a bribe. Do you see how flimsy these “reasons” are? One might like to imagine Paul writing some of his famous epistles while imprisoned there. However, most theologians believe Paul wrote his prison letters in Rome. Few believe he wrote anything of lasting significance in Caesarea. The fact is that nothing in this passage or recorded elsewhere gives clear understanding about what Paul did or why he was held for so long in Caesarea. So, where does that leave you with regard to this passage? What great devotional thoughts might you discern from this long period of nothingness? There is certainly nothing obvious that jumps out at you, right? On the contrary, if you’re honest with your feelings about it, it seems like a waste of good talent and time, doesn’t it? After all, Paul was my star apostle. Other than Jesus Christ himself, no one in Bible history made a greater impact on my Kingdom than Paul. Most estimate that Paul was close to 60 when he was imprisoned in Caesarea. Mortality rates were considerably lower during the 1st Century. Paul had already outlived many of his contemporaries. So, the gripping question is why, toward the end of his life, would I leave him to rot in a prison cell for more than 2 long years? [Pause] [Silence] [More pause] [More silence] That’s pretty much it, Dwayne. That’s all you’ll get this time–nothing. You might remember the word “Selah” in some of the psalms. Selah means to pause. You can be reading along, engrossed in the narrative and wisdom of a psalm, when suddenly you’re interrupted by an oddly-placed pause. They can seem so meaningless and unnecessary sometimes. That’s how life can be too. Not everything that happens to you will make sense to you, and I am under no obligation to explain “pauses” in your life to you–regardless of how long they may last. I had told Paul he was to preach the Good News in Rome, and Paul knew I would keep my promise. He didn’t need to know about why’s and when’s preceding the fulfillment of that promise. No matter how long he might have to wait, Paul knew he just needed to trust in me. It’s the same in your life, Dwayne. I am always with you, even in the nothingness.

What I said to God: Goodness gracious. I never saw such a profound lesson coming from this passage. I’ve never thought of “nothing” in this way. Thank You for speaking to me and for helping me better grasp the depth of trust Paul must have had in You. For him to be unjustly held in that prison for that long is beyond my imagination. Yet, there is no indication that Paul ever grew angry or impatient with You. He had great faith in His Savior and God. Please help me trust in You more and wait on You. When I don’t see Your hand, help me know I can always trust Your heart.