22 BUT GOD HAS HELPED ME TO THIS VERY DAY; SO I STAND HERE and testify to small and great alike. Acts 26
The words of Paul as he stood in court before King Agrippa and Governor Festus. The Religious Jews were looking for a way to murder Paul and stop him testifying TO THE TRUTH AND ABOUT JESUS, which the enemy really hates. The enemy spewed out all kinds of lying allegations about Paul with the aim of silencing him. Paul had been physically attacked and even left for dead by those who opposed the Truth of the Gospel, but now they sought to use the Law to silence him.
A new word has been coined recently, ‘Lawfare’, using legal accusations to harass and even bankrupt those who stand for the Truth. This harassment may be used on a greater scale today, but it’s not anything new and intimidation of God’s Children isn’t just through the courts.
24 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and A LAWYER (They used a legal professional to oppose God’s Servant) named Tertullus and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix:
Paul was an able orator and with the Lord’s help he presented his own case before King Agrippa and Festus. A further scripture in the epistle of James (the Lord’s half brother) shows a similar situation but with a different lesson for the Church.
6 But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones WHO ARE DRAGGING YOU INTO COURT? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? James 2
The Church was dishonouring the poor, which wasn’t right in the sight of their creator. However, we see once again that some of the wealthy were, ‘dragging believers into court’. Once again money being used to oppose and hinder the Church of God. (No doubt the god Mammon is behind much of the opposition)
Paul said in the face of all opposition that the Lord had ENABLED HIM TO STAND. Sometimes that’s all we can do, is STAND before adverse conditions and ask the Lord to help us get through to the other side. In every situation it’s those who are left standing who win the victory. WHATEVER YOUR SITUATION STAND FOR THE LORD AND HE WILL REWARD YOU.
God bless and keep you today. Immanuel