Acts 24: How to Wait on God When Nothing Seems to Change

If you've ever waited impatiently at the microwave or wished it would hurry up, then Acts 24 is for you. (And by the way, if you do that, you and I are on the same "wavelength". Snicker. Snicker.") Five days later Ananias the high priest, the elders and Tertullus a lawyer and skilled orator arrived in Caesarea. First, he flatters Felix, then makes 3 charges against Paul.   5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,  6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.    10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: "Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.   Paul was concise and confident. I arrived in Jerusalem to worship in the temple no more than 12 days ago. They never saw me arguing in the temple or stirring up trouble on the streets. They cannot prove I committed any of these accusations. 18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia   19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.    22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, "When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case."    23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.   Felix continued to call for Paul to speak with him, hoping for a bribe (Acts 24:26). Felix was deeply affected but never publicly acted on the gospel that Paul shared.   His political delay stretched Paul's detention to two full years.   So, day after day Paul WAITED. WAIT is a hard four-lettered word. It can fill days with… ·         Uncertainty ·         Impatience ·         Fear ·         Doubt ·         Pressure <p class="MsoListParagraph" style= "text-indent: -.25in