God’s ways of protection

“And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, ‘Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?’" - Act 22v25

I think it is wonderful to see how God protects His people. Sometimes God steps in with a dramatic, miraculous, or amazing event. For example Paul was once freed from prison by an earthquake, Lot was delivered by a blinding light, and Moses and Israel were delivered by the Red Sea being parted.

Sometimes however God work in a very practical and “normal” way. In Jerusalem things were looking pretty bad for Paul. He was under arrest again was facing another beating to try and get him to answer some unsubstantiated charges against. They officials thought that anybody causing this much trouble must have done something wrong.

Just before the beatings started Paul asked - “Is it legal for you to beat a Roman citizen who has not been convicted?” Suddenly a hush fell over the place. Not only was it illegal to beat a Roman but those guilty could be executed themselves. From that point on Paul was treated kid’s gloves, for not only was he a Roman citizen, but he was one by birth.

God had a greater purpose in mind for Paul. He was not done with Paul yet. Long before this day God allowed Paul to be born as a Jewish citizen of Rome. It is not totally clear where Paul was born, but wherever it was it was a Roman controlled area where he was what we would today call a “natural born citizen” with all the inherent rights and privileges.

All the time Paul was attacking and persecuting Christians his Roman citizenship was there. Who would have guessed that such an insignificant event as where a baby was born would have such an impact on the world? Praise God for His oversight and sovereignty!