Paul has been beaten by a mob, bound in chains and nearly suffered a Roman flogging. He has not slept, eaten or had any physical care. He is weary, bruised and burdened. The message from God is ‘Take courage’ Acts 23 v11.
1. Courage is needed when your day fails.
He had failed to convince the Sanhedrin of his innocence, v1
He had failed in his anger, v3
In prison alone, with no one to comfort him, guilty for missing his gospel chance because of his outspokenness. This was the end.
But Christ brought him courage and removed the pain of failure, v11.
2. Courage is self-control
The greatest influence will always be the presence of the Lord.
“The Lord stood near Paul” v11
In your darkest hour the Lord will be standing near you. As He does, prisons become refuge places, caves become security places, the dark nights become days of light.
It is the self-control that comes from changing oneself not the circumstance.
The self-control that comes from listening to only one voice. We need to develop the ability to listen to the Lord. For that, maybe we need to train ourselves to be deaf to certain voices. Perhaps only then will we hear ‘Take courage!’
3. Courage will re-appoint you.
“You have achieved” Jesus is reminding Paul what he has done, ‘you haven’t failed’
“You will achieve”. Paul always believed, always wanted to get to Rome with the gospel. Before this taking of courage Paul must have realised the uncertainty of this now. Jesus’ words reawaken this desire within him with a “you must”.
Missions Paul 