The lore surrounding the “Center of God’s Will” often takes on a mysticism of truth that is not truth at all. God’s Will is erroneously described as a place of blissful peace were doubts and fears cannot exist and blessings fall from heaven faster than one might shovel them. Dwelling in the “Center of God’s Will” does not guarantee a trouble-free existence or a ministry without pain, suffering, difficulty, or hardship. More than likely, assuredly, count on it—doing God’s business God’s way comes with those extras. I’ve created a book, Tell Me About God’s Will, where I capture the most common teachings about this mysterious subject. The book is free.
Paul’s plan
Consider that spark plug of a Christian, Paul of Tarsus, called by God as an apostle and set apart to take the Gospel to the Gentile nations. As his third missionary journey closed Paul expressed his calling to visit Rome by way of a stop off in Jerusalem.
Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Acts 19:21 NASB
Dr. Luke recorded in the latter chapters of his book, The Acts of the Apostles, that the visit to the headquarters of Judaism did not play out as Paul expected. The Jews attempted to rip him limb from limb, he was falsely accused, arrested, and chained as a prisoner of the Roman government. Heaven seemed a more likely destination for Paul than Rome.
Dr. Luke seemed confident that Paul was doing God’s will when all this happened, and these afflictions were not some Divine punishment. The traveling preacher had slipped a half-bubble off center in an attempt to live in almost the “Center of God’s Will.” Nope. Paul was right where God wanted him. And that raises a truth we would do well to note: No matter the circumstances we face there, God’s will is the safest place for a believer to dwell.
Paul on trial
The lawyer, Tertullus, stated (Acts 24:5-6a), “For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him…”
The charges were false, and the Roman commander ordered Paul detained. At the moment Paul was stretched out to receive a Roman scourging a trip to Rome looked out of the realm of possibilities. He escaped the scourging though his release did not materialize, and his legal troubles stretched into years. Paul no doubt clung to the promise God made to him the night after his first trial.
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 NASB
How would this be possible? Each court appearance took Paul into deeper legal waters. God is at work even when we cannot see Him.
Paul’s journey to Rome begins
The record of Scripture gives explicit details of the events in Paul’s legal journey.
1. The Sanhedrin investigated Paul and divided into warring camps with no decision. (Acts 23:9-10) The Romans retained custody of the prisoner.
2. More than 40 Jewish men made a vow not to fast until they had killed Paul. They concocted a plan to have Paul returned to the Sanhedrin for more hearings so they might kill him on the way.
3. Paul’s nephew learned of the plot and informed the Roman commander, Claudius Lysias. Lysias placed Paul under the protection of 200 foot soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen and ordered his transport to governor Felix in Caesarea.
Festus
4. Tertullus (lawyer), the high priest Ananias, and some elders came to Caesarea to accuse Paul before Felix. Though he knew Paul to be innocent of any crimes against Rome, Felix left Paul imprisoned for two years. (Acts 24:26-27)
5. Festus succeeded Felix and visited Jerusalem. The chief priest and leading men of the Jews hated Paul even after his two-year absence and asked that he be returned to Jerusalem. Again, an ambush was planned (Acts 25:3).
6. Festus invited the accusers to accompany him back to Caesarea to prosecute Paul. The accusers demanded Paul’s death (Acts 25:24).
Appeal to Caesar
7. Paul appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:10-12). His reasons are amplified in Acts 28:18-19.
8. Festus’s official decision on Paul’s case is given in Acts 25:18-21. “Paul’s not broken any Roman law and does not deserve death.” The governor confided in King Agrippa (Acts 25:26), “I have nothing definite to write to the Emperor about this man.”
9. Agrippa now examined Paul and pronounced him innocent of all charges. “He has not done anything worthy of death or imprisonment!” (Acts 26:30-32)
10. Paul remained chained for what proved an eventful voyage to Rome.
A storm arises
Was Paul still in God’s will? Had God changed His plan for Paul to witness at Rome? The Scripture does not record any change of plans. It does record that circumstances moved from bad to worse.
A storm rose as storms often do. This one arrived with wind so violent that the ship and the sailor’s cookies were tossed hither and yon. Dr. Luke penned this description:
The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.
Acts 27:18-20 NASB
Satan stops at nothing
Satan failed in his opposition to Paul’s ministry on three missionary journeys. He failed in his incitement of the Jews to kill Paul. He could not convince a Roman official to remove Paul’s head. Now he resorted to an attempted drowning. Satan unsuccessfully deployed this same tactic with Jesus. This storm reveals the third truth we would do well to note: Satan will stop at nothing to push us away from and out of God’s will.
In custody and chained to a Roman guard, riding out the worst storm he had ever experienced, wrestling with disorientation from the constant upheaval of the deck, struggling to see through the darkness which obscured the stellar landmarks, and facing certain death from a human standpoint Paul was right on course.
God’s plan
God’s course.
God’s plan.
And that hurts a bit, doesn’t it? We expect an easier time for the aging apostle since he’s already sacrificed so much to serve. Even in that turmoil God had plans for Paul about which Paul knew nothing. Here’s the scoop:
“For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on a certain island.”
Acts 27:23-26 NASB
Is that cool or what? God interrupted a storm and an arrest to deliver Paul to a certain island where people needed the Gospel. God protected Paul from the dastardly plans of the Jews who wanted him dead. Dr. Luke revealed that Paul continued his ministry from Rome in a new location void of opposition.
God protected Paul
And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
Acts 28:30-31 NASB
Paul dwelt in safety, in the “Center of God’s Will,” The Lord used him to write four books of the New Testament while imprisoned—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
We can now reveal the fourth truth we would do well to note: God’s plan is not thwarted by Satan’s scheming.
Let’s add a fifth truth we would do well to note: What our enemy means for evil, God turns into good.
An arrest? Multiple court trials? A storm? A shipwreck?
Oh, my!
What is God doing? How is His plan unfolding?
Let’s end by asking ourselves the question that really matters. Can I echo Paul’s confidence (Acts 27:25), “…for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told?”
Review points:
- No matter the circumstances we face there, God’s will is the safest place for a believer to dwell.
- Even when we can’t see Him, God is at work.
- Satan will stop at nothing to push us away from and out of God’s will.
- God’s plan is not thwarted by Satan’s scheming.
- What our enemy means for evil, God turns into good.