Your Best Is Yet to Come: Acts 23:11
“11) But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”” Acts 23:11
This might qualify as the shortest paragraph in the book of Acts, but it speaks volumes. Many Jewish Christians abandoned and even opposed Paul, but Jesus did not abandon him.
In fact, the verse says; “On the night following, the Lord stood at his side.” This sounds like it went way far beyond just the sense that God’s presence was with him. The wording indicates that Jesus Himself appeared to Paul and stood at his side. Wow! What happened in this verse was monumental.
This brought huge encouragement to Paul. He was not walking alone. The words Jesus spoke to him are important; “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.” This comes as the first positive indication that Paul was following the leading of the Holy Spirit by going to Jerusalem. All else seemed contrary.
Jesus confirmed that Paul would also testify in Rome. He now had assurance that his life would not end in Jerusalem. No plan or plot of man can thwart the will of God. At this point, Paul knew that he was heading to Rome, and the state was going to cover his traveling expenses. God has a sense of humor!
This visitation and word from Jesus gave Paul unshakable courage through all the perils that lay before him. The journey would be difficult, but he was assured that he would not be alone.
I will argue that he was about to embark on the most fruitful years of his life. They were also the most difficult. This phase marked the transition from his public teaching and preaching ministry to his writing ministry. Much of the New Testament was about to be written.
I believe the final phase of life is intended to be the most fruitful and productive years for every child of God. We want ours to be. This is biblical. It was true for Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel and it was about to become true for Paul. In this phase of life, years of experience are crowned with wisdom and often resources. God was about to use Paul’s writings to shape the course of human history.
Let me take a moment and address those who are approaching sixty or older. Don’t waste your senior years or your accumulated estate. Put the peddle to the metal for the glory of God and do some wise estate planning so that the state does not gobble up your accumulated wealth.
GoServ Global can help on three fronts. We can plug you into fruitful mission trips, investments in amazing mission project around the world and in 2024 and beyond we can assist you with wise and godly estate planning.
One of our goals at GoServ Global is to help believers “out-live their lives!” This is done by making wise and intensional investments in the kingdom that will keep giving long after you are dead and gone. How can this be done?
It includes things like supporting orphans and widows in their distress, training and sponsoring national pastors and Christian workers, building churches, Christian Schools, and rural birthing and medical centers in 3rd world countries that have no medical access… all with the goal of undergirding fruitful evangelistic endeavors.. and raising up the next generation of Christian leaders.
Yes, the Great Commission includes things like providing essentials of food, clothing, fresh water and long term shelter for the poor and displaced in the name of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission involves connecting Christians with needs around the world and exploiting every opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ verbally. When done right… we become world changers for the glory of God.
In this simple verse, Jesus stood by Paul and said; “Your work is not done! Your best is yet to come! Your final years will impact the world!” I believe Jesus wants to say the same to you and me! “Your best is yet to come!” I beg you, don’t waste your life… especially your senior years. Invest in the kingdom of God and lay up abundant treasures in heaven.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
