Paul did not panic because he was wise. The Roman military in Jerusalem, whose duty was to keep the peace, had foiled two attempts by Paul's accusers to kill him (Acts 21:30-42; 23:10). The Apostle had been kept in the barracks overnight. The next day forty of the religious Sanhedrin Council were so furious about Paul preaching that Jesus had risen from the dead (they were the people who petitioned Pilate, the Roman Governor, for Jesus to be crucified) that they plotted to ambush Paul between the barracks and the religious court.

The plan was not secret for long and Paul's nephew, who lived in Jerusalem, heard what they intended to do. So he went to the military citadel and told Paul. But the previous night, Paul saw the Lord and heard him say, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome" (Acts 23:11). So Paul knew that he would not die and would be taken to the hub of the Roman Empire to plead the case for Jesus at the supreme court.

The young man's information was crucial. Paul did not tell the commander himself but asked the centurion, who was guarding him, to take his nephew to the commander. The commander listened to the teenager in a private conversation. The full story came out. It must have alarmed the commander because his job, or even life, was at risk if he failed to restore peace in Jerusalem. Paul wisely allowed the boy to speak about what he had heard, and not to try to argue for his own protection. Clearly, the message radically altered the commander's plan (Acts 23:23-33), and Paul was safely taken out of Jerusalem under a massive military guard.

There are times when it is right to speak up to protect yourself (Acts 22:23-29); but at other times let others speak for you or trust the Lord to keep you safe. Wisdom is knowing which option to take at the right time. If we do not know what to do, we should ask the Lord (James 1:5). When we know Him, having welcomed the indwelling presence of Jesus, He gives us wisdom - because He is the Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:30). That is why we need to keep looking to Jesus. When we fail to do so, wisdom is no longer clear and we are at risk from handling temptation unwisely. When we repent, the Lord teaches us again how to see what is true and how to use it in a way that glorifies Him, blesses others and guides us safely forwards.