Defending Myself - Acts 25

S - Acts 25:⁹ Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”  ¹⁰ But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. ¹¹ If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!”
O - The Jews had brought Paul in front of Festus demanding that he be sent to Jerusalem for a trial.  They were planning to ambush and kill him on his way to Jerusalem.  When Festus asked Paul if he was willing to be tried in Jerusalem Paul stood his ground and knew his rights and wouldn't just let them do whatever they wanted to do.
A - Jesus has said that we should turn the other cheek if done wrong.  However, He didn't say that we couldn't and shouldn't defend ourselves when being wrongly accused.  I have the right just as Paul did to stand up for what my rights are and not let people, even those in authority, try to make me do something that violates my rights.  There is a very fine line and I need to look to God for guidance on when I should turn the other cheek and when I should defend myself.
P - God, I praise you and thank you that you are my ultimate provider and protector.  I pray for your wisdom and guidance every single day and every single minute especially in times when being accused or mistreated.  Help me to always turn toward you and wait on your word as I know that following your will and your word will ultimately be the best for me.  I love you Heavenly Father!  I want to live a life that gives you honor and praise and a life that fulfills the plan that you have created in me.  I pray a blessing and protection over everyone in my household today.