Title: The Unlikely Deliverer / Topic: God's Protection

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 18; Leviticus 19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

Scripture: Acts 19:28-29, 35
28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar...
35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

Observation: I love this story. Here, the citizens of Ephesus have been whipped up into a frenzy and have rioted and taken over the city's theater. They are thirsty for revenge against Paul and have seized some of his friends. It's a dicey situation and dangerous for the Christians. Into the middle of this chaos steps an unlikely hero, the city clerk. He, in his clerk-like way, calms the crowd and explains the various remedies for their grievances. He warns them that there could be fines and worse penalties for rioting without a permit, and with that, he dismisses the assembly. And amazingly, everyone disperses.

Application: You never know where deliverance is going to come from. I'm sure the Christians were praying for divine help, maybe hoping for a Roman garrison or general to break down the doors. Instead they get a clerk, but he is just the ticket to end the threat and bring this danger to a peaceful conclusion.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You can bring us help from virtually anywhere. You're provision of protection and deliverance is amazing. May I always walk with Your protective covering.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.