“But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’” — Acts 23:11
Paul had long desired to go to Jerusalem, even though many believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, warned him that trouble and imprisonment awaited him there. Yet, Paul’s heart was so determined. He was willing to face suffering if it meant fulfilling God’s purpose.
When he arrived, James advised him to demonstrate that he was not teaching against the Law of Moses by taking part in a Nazarite vow at the temple. Paul agreed, showing his respect for Jewish customs and his desire to avoid unnecessary offense. But as he worshiped in the temple, some Jews from Asia recognized him and stirred up the crowd. They accused Paul of teaching against the Law and even claimed that he had brought a Gentile into the temple that something strictly forbidden by Jewish custom. This accusation was false, but it was enough to ignite a violent mob.
The uproar grew so fierce that Roman soldiers had to intervene. They arrested Paul to protect him from being killed by the crowd. Even then, when he had given the chance, Paul asked to speak to the people. He shared his testimony how he once persecuted the brethren until the LORD Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, changing his life forever.
When the crowd became so violent that Paul was nearly torn to pieces, the tribune quickly ordered his soldiers to take him into the barracks for his own safety. After such a chaotic day, Paul found himself in a place of uncertainty and silence. Alone in that moment, he must have wondered if he would even survive the night. Then the Scripture says, “But the following night the Lord stood by him.”
Have you ever wondered why the Lord didn’t appear to Paul that same night?Because Paul was still in a state of shock, his emotions overwhelmed, his mind in turmoil, and his body exhausted from the chaos. Sometimes when a situation that took our entire being by surprise, we find ourselves in that same place. Our hearts racing, our minds spinning, unable to even process what’s happening. By the following night when Paul may have been calmer but quiet enough to reflect, and to feel the full weight of uncertainty about his situation. Maybe he was wondering what would happen next, whether this was the end of his ministry. And it was in that quiet night, a place filled with uncertainty about what would come next, that the LORD Jesus “stood” by him as He promised to all His disciples,
… lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:20
We all face moments like this when life suddenly falls apart. Maybe it’s the unexpected loss of a loved one, a marriage that breaks down, a child diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, or the devastating news that your business is collapsing. Whatever the situation, it leaves us in a place filled with uncertainty and fear. But remember what happened to Paul. When he was perplexed and uncertain of what would happen next. Jesus stood by him to remind him that he was not alone. The battle belonged to the LORD. The King of kings and Lord of lords, the Almighty God, was standing with him. The very presence of the Lord was Paul’s assurance that God was with him despite the troubles he faced. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans:
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Romans 8:31
That same LORD Jesus who stood by Paul also stands with us today. In every storm, every heartbreak, and every moment of uncertainty, the Lord Jesus is always strengthening, comforting, and assuring us that His presence never leaves nor forsakes us.
Then the Lord Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, Paul.” These were not new encouraging words. The Lord Jesus had spoken the same phrase several times before in a moment when hearts were troubled or afraid.
He said, “Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you,” to the man who was paralyzed and healed by His power (Matthew 9:2).
He said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid,” to His disciples when they were terrified, seeing Him walk on the sea (Matthew 14:27).
And before His crucifixion, He said to them, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
How could Paul not be of good cheer when it was the Lord Himself who spoke those words? When Jesus says, “Be of good cheer,” it’s not merely a suggestion, it’s a comforting command backed by His divine authority. The very Word of God carries power to bring to pass what it declares. When the Lord speaks, it happens. So when Jesus told Paul to take courage, strength and peace filled his heart. The same voice that calmed the storm, healed the sick, and raised the dead now spoke directly to him. Absolutely, Paul was of good cheer, because the presence of God stood beside him and comfort him.
No wonder all the disciples wrote about being joyful in suffering because in their moments of deepest pain, the presence of the Lord was closest to them. It was the Lord Himself who strengthened and comforted them. Even when they were thrown to lions, burned alive, pierced with swords, or murdered under the scorching sun, they did not waver in their faith. Just like Stephen, who saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, they faced death with peace and courage because the Lord Jesus was with them.
Then the Lord Jesus said, “For as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” The Lord was assuring Paul that his mission was not over. Though danger surrounded him and death seemed near, Jesus made it clear that Paul would not die until he had fulfilled his purpose to preach the gospel in Rome, even before Caesar himself. This promise was not only a word of comfort but also a declaration of destiny. No scheme, persecution, or power of man could stop what God had ordained. Paul’s life was in the Lord’s hands, and his calling would be completed exactly as God had planned.
Furthermore, we all know that Paul never truly had the opportunity to preach freely in Jerusalem, because as soon as the people learned of his conversion, they plotted to kill him (Acts 9:26-30). Yet the Lord Jesus knew how deeply Paul loved his own people. Paul’s desire was always to teach and preach to the Jews first before going to the Gentiles, as we read in Acts 13:46
“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’”
We all know as we read the writings of the Apostle Paul to the churches in Asia, that his main purpose in life was to testify to the gospel, for he knew that it is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) Paul’s mission of preaching the gospel always began with the Jews and then extended to the Gentiles. This deep burden and desire to preach are clearly expressed in his letter to the Romans, where he wrote,
“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”— Romans 1:14-16
We also know that Paul had long desired to visit the believers in Rome, though he had never yet been able to do so. At the time he wrote the Epistle to the Romans, Paul was in Corinth, near the end of his third missionary journey. He was preparing to travel to Jerusalem to deliver a collection for the poor saints there (Romans 15:25–26). Because of this upcoming trip and the dangers that awaited him, he had not yet been able to go to Rome in person. He expressed this longing in his letter, writing,
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.” — Romans 1:11
“For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.” — Romans 15:22-24
This is where we learn an important lesson that we must be mindful of what we pray for and truly understand what we are asking of God. Paul’s desire to go to Rome was fulfilled, but not in the way he might have imagined. He went there not as a free missionary, but as a prisoner. Yet for the Apostle Paul and for the rest of the disciples beatings, imprisonments, and persecutions were nothing new. Even before coming to Jerusalem, Paul had already declared to the brethren in Tyre,
“For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Acts 21:13 (NKJV)
Being a follower of Jesus comes with a cost. It does not promise a life of comfort or freedom from pain and struggle. In fact, Jesus Himself warned us that persecution would come, saying, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” — John 15:18
As believers, we often face trials, rejection, and opposition not because we have done something wrong, but because we belong to Jesus. Yet even in the midst of these challenges, the Lord Jesus stands with us. His purpose for our lives will always prevail as long as we continue to walk closely with Him refusing to give up or turn away. Just like the Apostle Paul, whose faith never wavered since his conversion, we too must remain steadfast. Paul was fully determined to finish the task the Lord had given him, no matter the suffering he faced. His life reminds us that following Jesus is not about avoiding hardship, but about trusting that His presence and purpose will sustain us through it all. Amen
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