Acts 22. As we walk through Paul’s arrest, imprisonment, and the events that follow, let us consider how God is at work.

You know, being under God’s protection is not a guarantee of physical safety. Think about that for a minute. We often are so preoccupied with our physical safety – as a society we put warnings on everything. We expect other people (like lifeguards or mountain rescue helicopters) to swoop in and save us when we make poor decisions. We have prayer lists that are full of requests for “traveling mercies” and safety. We tend to be a risk averse society in many ways, and anything that might be dangerous we often decline to participate in. (Unless you’re a teenage male and then you do all the risky things, ha ha.)

Paul does not seem to have the same risk-aversion we see often in our own culture. Paul knows that God does not guarantee his physical safety. However, being under the protection of God does guarantee that God is always with us, He has a purpose for us, and nothing will happen to us that He has not allowed. We can – like Paul – live in confidence that our lives on earth will not come to an end until His purposes for us are complete. Ultimately, we will end up safe and secure in heaven anyway.

In Acts 21 there was a riot in the temple. All the city was stirred up and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple… seeking to kill him (21:30-31). Then the Roman military steps in (the centurions, soldiers, and tribune) and saves Paul. That’s ironic. The secular, occupying force that does not worship God steps in and saves the apostle from the Jewish riot. God can use all kinds of people to intervene on His behalf.

The Apostle Paul used his language skills to gain the respect of the Roman military (Hey, he speaks Greek! He must not be a rabble rouser, or that Egyptian guy we were looking for!). Then he turned and spoke to the crowd in well-educated Hebrew (Who is this guy?!). God had given Paul language skills long ago, and it greatly enhanced his ability to spread the gospel. Paul took the opportunity to bear witness to all that has happened to him. In the end the crowd got unruly again and the Roman military stepped in to haul Paul off for flogging.

Then Paul pulled out the ultimate you-cannot-touch-me trump card of the era, asking, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” (22:25). Oh man, this was not good news for the Roman soldiers who were setting up the interrogation and flogging station! They withdrew from him immediately and were afraid. God also worked long ago to ensure that his chosen apostle would be a Roman citizen, with all the rights and benefits accorded to one. Paul’s Roman citizenship will protect him all the way to Rome itself.

As we continue to read in Acts, keep watch for God’s protection of Paul in various ways.

We can be grateful that the protection of the Father’s strong arms is always around us. Thank Him for his mighty but unseen acts that keep you safe and secure as you walk through life. Praise Him for watching over you!