September 11

Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him. — Acts 28:30 BSB

God’s plans never fail. Paul was destined to go to Rome, even though the obstacles seemed overwhelming. Even nature itself seemed to conspire against him reaching his destination.

Yet, despite all the hindrances, the way was made clear, and Paul finally entered the “Eternal City.”

Prison might seem like a poor place for a missionary, but Paul’s time in prison did not limit his influence. In fact, being under Roman protection kept him safe from persecution. This was God’s way of providing for him.

We often think that periods of being “shut in” are wasted time. A superficial view might suggest that Paul’s two years in prison were lost years, but perhaps no other two years of his life produced as much fruit. From his prison, he continued to preach to visitors, and he wrote four letters that have been blessing the world for nearly two thousand years.