Outside the Comfort Zone

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Opening Prayer

Lord, use Your Word today to command me and comfort me. I need Your direction and consolation.

Read Acts 21:27-36

^[27] When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, ^[28] shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” ^[29] (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) ^[30] The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. ^[31] While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. ^[32] He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ^[33] The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. ^[34] Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. ^[35] When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. ^[36] The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

Meditate

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul” (Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888). There are times when these words can give us comfort and courage.

Think Further

Paul knew this day was coming. Agabus and the other prophets said he was headed for trouble. Even the Holy Spirit warned him (Acts 20:23). But Paul went to Jerusalem because the Holy Spirit also made it clear he should go. Have you ever done something for God that you knew would be challenging, even dangerous? I find it difficult to take risks. I’d much rather stay on the safe path for God. Yet in spite of this I have to admit I’ve grown the most, and accomplished the most, when I’ve stepped, or been pushed, outside my comfort zone.

That’s what’s happening to Paul here; he’s way outside the comfort zone. The Jewish leaders have whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Their shouts for the death penalty (36) have an eerie resemblance to the final days of Jesus. Why were these religious men so threatened by a one-time Pharisee with no organization, no militia and no money? We get a clue in verse 28. They accused Paul of being against “our” law. The emphasis is not on God’s law, or even the Law of Moses; it was on “our law,” our rules, our system. What’s clear from this passage, and from world history ever since, is that when religion becomes a means for human control, it is one of the most dangerous things on earth. That’s not the good news.

I wonder if Paul ever second-guessed his decision to go to Jerusalem. It can be physically stressful and spiritually confusing when a step of faith takes us into a sinkhole, but as we’ll soon see in Paul’s experience, when God is leading, even ministry setbacks can lead to spiritual breakthroughs. That’s why, in spite of the growing chaos, Paul could be confident that God was in charge.

Apply

How can we know the difference between a step of faith and a big mistake? What helps you maintain your faith that God is in charge of your future?

Closing prayer

Heavenly Father, it gives me confidence and comfort to know that You are in charge. When darkness descends, encourage me as I remember the promise of Your presence.

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