Daily Devotional Monday 29th June 2020
by William MoodyActs 28:11–16
Paul Arrives at Rome
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods1 as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers2 and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Footnotes
[1] 28:11
That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux
[2] 28:14Or brothers and sisters; also verses 15, 21 (ESV)
Luke continues to give his very detailed eyewitness account of their journey (v11-13). This is again to give evidence to the historical authenticity of this account. The Gospel is not based on made up ideas but on historical events.
On this difficult journey Paul is refreshed by the help of believers first at Puteoli (v13-14) and then as he neared Rome at the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns (v15).
Paul was greatly encouraged and helped on his travels by the presence of God, but God also supported and encouraged him through fellow believers. We read here that the presence of these believers caused Paul to be thankful to God and really encouraged him (v15).
If the great apostle needed such support and encouragement so do all believers. We need to be committed to meeting with and supporting our fellow believers for their sake and for ours. The book of Hebrews says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Heb. 10v25). Be encouraged and encourage others.
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