O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: 2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;
3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. 4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! 5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. 7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
 
9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies. 10 You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil. 11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations. 12 You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them. 13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us. 14 You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. 15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face 16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.
 
17 All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant. 18 Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way; 19 yet you have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21 would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.


22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! 24 Why do you hide your face?  Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. 26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!
 
 
Meditation
Today’s Psalm re-orients our hearts to a higher focus than the struggle of national circumstances. Faith is strengthened when we trust the Lord in storms.
 
The Psalmist laments the state of the nation described as sheep scattered for slaughter (11), taunted by other nations, and a global laughing stock (13-14).  What is the reason for the national disaster? God knows the hearts of His people (21) and He sees they have not forgotten Him nor turned away (17-18).
 
In Mark 4:38-41 disciples are in a storm with Jesus sleeping in the boat. They woke Jesus up and asked if He cared. Jesus calmed the storm and asked if they had faith- Isn’t the Lord’s presence security enough in the storm?
 
The Psalmist seeks to shake God awake during the storm of his society asking, “Why are you sleeping (23)!?”  In his fear we see what faith looks like during a storm of national uncertainty:
 
-Hope in God’s faithfulness, believing testimonies of God’s past faithfulness (1-3).
-Trust that God is a faithful King (4)!
-Security in God’s promises and presence above the powers of this world (6).
-Confidence that God can calm the storm, redeeming the nation for the sake of His steadfast love (23-26).
-Peace that the national struggle is God’s sovereign plan, for His name sake (22).
 
Paul uses this Psalm in Romans 8:35-37 to remind God’s people that the suffering of our world cannot separate us from God’s love. Christ secures us in the storms of our society. We can trust Him.
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are the storms of this season shaking your faith? Where is the instability of your circumstances or our world shaking you deepest?
 
-The Lord promises to be with you, in the boat with you in the storm. Is His presence and His promises enough? Why or why not?
 
-Look through the fabric of faith- Hope, trust, security, confidence, and peace. Which of these are the most tangible to you in Christ? Build on it and ask the lord to continue to deepen your faith in Him as the storm rages.
 
Key Verse
23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!

“But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! 2 Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. 4 They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. 5 This one will say, ‘I am the Lord's,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord's,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.” Besides Me There Is No God 6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. 8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”
 
The Folly of Idolatry
9 All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. 10 Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?11 Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together.
12 The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint. 13 The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil.[b] He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house. 14 He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. 15 Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it. 16 Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!” 17 And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”
18 They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. 19 No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” 20 He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
 
The Lord Redeems Israel
21 Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. 22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. 23 Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.
 
24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, 25 who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish, 26 who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins’; 27 who says to the deep, ‘Be dry; I will dry up your rivers’; 28 who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”
 
 
Meditation
What does God say to a country paralyzed by fear? Isaiah is speaking to a people devastated by exile, having been taken from their homeland and living under foreign power. By all appearances it looks like all is lost. God offers very certain promises for His people navigating uncertain times. Three words summarize God’s certain promises:
 
Remember- God reminds His people who are in a discouraging place- You are mine. I chose you, I formed you, I will help you, and I will refresh you (1-5). I will water your dry places and refresh you with my Spirit. During tough times, remember that you are mine.
 
Realize- There are no gods besides me- nothing else can be your Rock. Realize that everything you center your heart on besides my promise and presence will lead to ruin. Turning to other gods is folly- look at the craft of idolatry! THINGS are formed for you, by you, and they cannot save you. The truth is that God formed you!  And you belong to Him. He will provide (6-21).
 
Return- You cannot return to “normal” but you can return to the Lord. God has blotted out your sins and redeemed you. He will restore you and raise up your ruins. Our God is working all of History for His glory and our good, even working through foreign and enemy powers (22-28).
 
Remember whose you are. Realize you can turn from the idols of your heart and return to Him. He has redeemed you and will restore you.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you need to remember WHOSE you are? Read the promises of security in God in verses 1-5.
 
-Which portion of the folly of idolatry stands out to you in 6-21? Why do our hearts go after things made by us at the expense of our own stability and well-being?
 
-Where do you need to return to the covenant love of God? Where do you need to come to your senses and return to your loving Heavenly Father?
 
Key Verse
21 Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. 22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.

 Now Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David's son, loved her. 2 And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. 4 And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.” 5 Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’” 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”
 
7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, where he was lying down. And she took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked the cakes. 9 And she took the pan and emptied it out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “Send out everyone from me.” So everyone went out from him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing. 13 As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” 14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.
 
15 Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up! Go!” 16 But she said to him, “No, my brother, for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me.” But he would not listen to her. 17 He called the young man who served him and said, “Put this woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her.” 18 Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves, for thus were the virgin daughters of the king dressed. So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. 19 And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.
 
20 And her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart.” So Tamar lived, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom's house. 21 When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.[d] 22 But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.
 
Absalom Murders Amnon
23 After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing.26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.
 
30 While they were on the way, news came to David, “Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments. 32 But Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king so take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead.”
 
Absalom Flees to Geshur
34 But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king's sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about.” 36 And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept very bitterly.
 
37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.
 
 
Meditation
The tragedy of Tamar is a disturbing fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy for the house of David (2 Samuel 12:10-11), a warning and reminder of the destructive power of a self-serving manhood.
 
The words of Tamar offer orientation for the tragedy- “…such a thing should not be done in Israel!...” (12) Tamar’s truth is lost in violations against her- she is trapped (5-11), ignored (14, 16), raped (14), despised (15), banished (17), and ruined (18-20).  We must lament the lack of men honoring God with their life choices.
 
David is pictured as a weak man easily manipulated and too distant from his family to protect or execute justice. David’s poor example with Bathsheba and Uriah is devastatingly repeated by Amnon and Absolom respectively.
 
Amnon is vividly portrayed as lustful without self-control, displaying the devastating nature of unaccountable manhood.
 
Jonadab is a manipulator who is more concerned with currying favor with authority than treating people with dignity. Jonadab uses Tamar as a pawn for potential power found in favorable proximity to the potential future king.
 
Absolom is a cold revelation of self-control with an evil, calculated trajectory that perpetuates destruction and devastation. The vengeance of Absolom validates the dysfunction of mis-directed men who tolerate evil in the houses of God’s people.
 
The true picture of manhood is found in Jesus Christ. Christ’s work offers the protection, justice, and the vengeance the reader longs for. We must respond to the grace of Jesus with resolute determination to not allow this type of devastation and rebellion among the people of God.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Which part of Tamar’s troubling trajectory impacts you the most?
 
-Which man represented in the narrative represents the lamentable reality of the state of manhood today? Why?
 
-How does the true man, Jesus Christ, offer hope to the devastation of our rebellion and restoration to men who need a redeemed trajectory of our lives?
 
Key Verse
12 She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing. 

Then he commanded the steward of his house, “Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack, 2 and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph told him.
 
3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. 4 They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?[a] 5 Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’”
 
6 When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words. 7 They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! 8 Behold, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord's house? 9 Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord's servants.” 10 He said, “Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” 11 Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. 12 And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.
 
14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground.15 Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?” 16 And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord's servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found.” 17 But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father.”
18 Then Judah went up to him and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’ 20 And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.’ 21 Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ 22 We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ 23 Then you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.’
 
24 “When we went back to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. 25 And when our father said, ‘Go again, buy us a little food,’ 26 we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother goes with us, then we will go down. For we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. 28 One left me, and I said, “Surely he has been torn to pieces,” and I have never seen him since. 29 If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in evil to Sheol.’
 
30 “Now therefore, as soon as I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy's life, 31 as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. 32 For your servant became a pledge of safety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.’ 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”
 
Meditation
The reader has several questions entering into Genesis 44- How can the brothers reconcile? What will soften Joseph’s heart? When will Joseph reveal himself? Will the father re-unite with Joseph?
 
The feasting at Joseph’s table (43:34) devolved into framing. Joseph uses his power to set up Benjamin and keep him in Egypt (1-13). Joseph accuses the brothers of repaying evil for good (7-8) and the brothers fall (for a third time) before Joseph, pleading for mercy (14). How did they find mercy? Substitution.
 
Judah, the brother who suggested selling Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37:26-28) and slept with his daughter-in-law (Genesis 38), stood before Joseph to intercede (15-34). The key ingredient of his intercession is substitution. “Please let your servant remain instead of the boy!” (33)
 
The plea for substitution catalyzes reconciliation between the brothers, softens Joseph’s heart, provides mercy, and paves the way for re-union with the father. Judah’s intersession and substitution point to his greater offspring, Jesus Christ. The center of the Gospel is substitution- while we were sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8). Christ bore our sins on the cross, (1 Peter 2:24) carrying our iniquities (Isaiah 53:6) and bearing the sins of all believers (Hebrews 9:28) so that we can be forgiven.
 
 We must celebrate the reconciliation, heart softening, mercy, and reunion with the Father, that the greatest substitution offers those who believe!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Why is substitution the center of the gospel? What does this reveal about the Father’s love for you?
 
-What is the most powerful portion of 15-34 to you? Why?
 
-Where do you need to celebrate the fruit of substitution- reconciliation, heart softening, and reunion with the Father? How can you?
 
Key Verse
33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 

And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
 
6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
 
A Plot to Kill Paul
12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
 
16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”
 
Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
 
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.
 
Meditation
The contrast between the place of persecution of Paul and the projection for people in our culture could not be clearer. I am looking through a book on life design, helping someone discover the “one big thing” God has for him or her, and there is no category for Paul’s predicament.
 
A “life stage” chart summarizing helpful insight from Robert Clinton, Jon Acuff, and Bob Buford is included in the life design book. According to their projections the Apostle Paul is the right age to have “a unique ministry, mastering his craft… harvesting fruit from his labor… enjoying his king or sage years.” Paul must have missed the seminar on life design as his practices have led a group of people so hungry to kill him they refuse to eat until he dies.
 
Paul’s “one big thing” was the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul did not count his life as precious except to proclaim the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24), leading Paul to persecution and prison. Paul’s “one big thing” was not self-help but Savior saturation leading him to “pour his life out like a grain offering” (Philippians 2:17) while proclaiming, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
 
Understanding God’s unique Divine Design for your life can be a powerful kingdom catalyst, but it is idolatry to center your purpose on anything other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our priority must be gospel proclamation even if it means persecution and prison.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about Paul’s predicament? His continual self-defense (1-11), the plot to take his life (12-22), or his path to prison (23-35)?
 
-Does the trajectory of your life plan welcome struggle for gospel gain? Why or why not?
 
-Look out at the decades of your life, prayerfully considering where you want to be in twenty, thirty, or forty years. This is a good exercise! But incomplete unless you now open your heart and your hands in prayer, asking Jesus to increase your boldness to proclaim His rule and reign over all of life. May His Kingdom come and His will be done in your life as it is in Heaven!
 
Key Verse
12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” 6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
 
Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls
9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
 
11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.
 
17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”
 
 
Meditation
Deep listening to community needs, through lived experience with community members, is the pathway and process to impactful restoration. Setting aside personal agenda, presumption, and expectations we must look to discover not only the needs and gaps presented in crisis but also the resources and opportunities for restoration.
 
Nehemiah was personally impacted by the collective ruin of his city (3). The good hand of God granted Nehemiah favor with the king and directed Nehemiah back to Jerusalem (1-8) where we see Nehemiah listening, discovering, and activating.
 
Nehemiah spent three days in the ruined city (11), refraining from sharing what God put in his heart (12) so he could deeply listen to the devastation through holistic inspection (13-16). Nehemiah connects the people of God with the purposes of God with invitation to participate in restoration (17). Activation comes through a simple call- “Let us rise up and rebuild” (18).
 
Restoration is strengthened when rooted in relentless confidence in the call of God. “The God of Heaven will make us prosper” (20) because God’s good hand is upon those who participate in His purposes of redemptive restoration (9-10, 19). The “good work” of redeeming crisis involves the “extraordinary feat of organization and concerted action” (Kinder). The pathway and process for impactful restoration is listening, discovering, and activating. Everyone has a role in redemptive restoration. Conflict will come (9-10) but with the right path and process for initiative building God’s people will possess conviction to remain committed to His call. Let us “rise up and rebuild.”
 
Richly Dwelling
-Why are we tempted to approach a crisis with personal agendas, presumptions, and expectations?
 
-What is difficult about deep listening both to the realities of the devastation and the resources available in the people and ideas?
 
-We are better together. How can you strengthen your stewardship of God’s call on your life through collaboration with His people?
 
Key Verse
13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 

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