Acts 23

As dissension grew and became violent between the Pharisees and Saducees, Paul is rescued by the chief captain and put back into the barracks of the castle of Antonia, where he was before. And nestled in the middle of this chapter is a little visit to Paul from no ordinary person:

"The following night the Lord stood by him and said, 'Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome'" (vs 11).

It seems like a strange way to encourage someone doesn't it? "Be of good cheer, Paul, for as you have suffered so much for me already, so you must suffer a great deal more." But therein lies the comfort—that Paul had been serving Christ in what he had already endured, and was now only being detained for a short time until he will continue that service. See again Acts 20:24, nothing was more disheartening for Paul than the thought of being taken off his course, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Remember, no matter what hard things we go through, and no matter who it is that comes against us, we need not fear if the Lord stand by us.