What can we learn about God's timing from Acts 25:14? The Verse in Context “Since they stayed many days there, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, ‘There is a man here who was left in prison by Felix.’” (Acts 25:14) Key Observations About Timing • “Many days” signals an intentional pause—God arranges even the length of a royal visit. • Paul’s two-year delay under Felix (Acts 24:27) looked like neglect, yet it positioned him for this precise moment. • The change of governors (Felix to Festus) and Agrippa’s arrival converged exactly when God wanted Paul’s story retold. What God’s Timing Teaches Us • Divine delays serve kingdom purposes. – Delay opened a door for Paul to witness “before kings” (Acts 9:15). • God orchestrates political shifts and travel plans. – Festus’s transition and Agrippa’s visit were beyond Paul’s control but fully under God’s control. • Waiting seasons refine the messenger. – Two silent years strengthened Paul’s resolve (cf. James 1:3-4). • God unveils the next step only when all pieces align. – Acts 23:11 promised Rome; Acts 25:14 is the hinge that starts the journey. Supporting Scriptures • Ecclesiastes 3:1—“For everything there is an appointed time…” • Galatians 4:4—“When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son…” • 2 Peter 3:9—“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness…” • Psalm 31:15—“My times are in Your hands…” Takeaway Truths • Delay does not equal abandonment; God is aligning circumstances we cannot see. • God’s timetable overrules human agendas, offices, and calendars. • Faithfulness in the waiting season readies us for greater witness when the door finally swings open. |
    |