Attention: Do Not Ignore This!
Acts 9
KJV
23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
24+ But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25+ Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
I wish I were a painter, this is one picture I’ll paint and hang on my wall to remind me of the need to be cautious. Can you imagine this happening to the great Apostle Paul?
Someone who stood before Felix and Agrippa, and several others spoke powerfully without fear or intimidation. Yes! Yet here is he being put in a large-sized laundry basket! Carried, towed or dragged on the floor pushed through an opening in a wall.
Not only this, there was another threat to his life which was revealed to him by his nephew! As a result, the authority took measures to protect him.
Read it ;
Acts 23
KJV
16+ And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
Why didn’t he say to his nephew “ Oh God will take care of me so don’t worry ?”
Yes, there comes a time and moment when even the strong yield to weakness. Surely Paul was not the first nor the last, visit Elijah and interview him you’ll hear the same story. Read his account ;
1 Kings 19
KJV
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
3+ And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer–sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4+ But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
This was shortly after the local newspapers and social media have published the events that took place on Mount Carmel. Everyone was expecting to see the hero of the day, so the streets were lined up expecting Elijah. Only to be told he has fled!
Beloved, even the strongest of the strong is also human, the blood that flows through our veins is the same that flows through his.
Both Elijah and Paul took measures to protect themselves. Even Jesus did the same as recorded read it ;
John 7
KJV
1+ After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
It would be foolhardy if the three mentioned ignored the threats to their lives. Even so, it would be foolhardy today if any should ignore threats to their life all in the name of “ God will protect me”. Is God unable to protect Paul, He can but Paul agreed to the advice and suggestion to be put in a basket!
There are always physical, spiritual ( or both) threats to our lives, from both known and unknown sources, ignore these at the peril of your life. Even friends we eat and socialize with can become security threats.
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Did the Lord not acknowledge this? He did hear him;
Matthew 10
KJV
36+ And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
And also the psalmist, read what he wrote from experience,
Psalm 55:12-14
NIV
[12] If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.
[13] But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, [14] with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.
Beloved, threats ( physical or spiritual) to our lives are real do not underestimate or downplay any. Paul took his seriously, Jesus did the same and so was Elijah. It would be foolhardy to ignore.
Watch and pray He said. He did not say we close our eyes and pray. It is like saying to us; listen around, pay attention to developments around you. Watch the movements around you. Discern actions even words that are spoken reveal threats so think through whatever you hear.
Every man of value and importance to God /society /family/workplace etc is a target if you are one of these then do not let your guard down! Watch and pray listen to and take advice
Paul did and was delivered learn to do the same. You are of value and importance to us.
A thought to share; a word to the wise!