11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11

The Lord clearly gave Paul plenty of opportunities to preach the Gospel. He preached in the street, but he also preached to political and spiritual leaders. Very few have those kinds of opportunities. The Lord was now telling Paul that he was going to Rome. The implication is that he would be spreading the Gospel in the halls of power.

But the Lord was also encouraging him. When the Lord Himself speaks to you right before a major life event, it’s extremely important and life-changing.

What do you need encouragement about today? What issues are you facing that need that extra “umph” of encouragement?

Of course we hurl every bit of our cares before Him, then just rest in His presence. When we rest in Him, the worries of the world just seem to melt away. They don’t go away; they’re just not as important. But it begins with resting in Him.