Festus
Festus became the Roman governor ruling in Israel following Felix (who held Paul in prison for two years).  (Acts 25:1)

Paul
The prisoner Paul: waiting…waiting…waiting…for the ruling powers to decide his case.

Paul’s adversaries
Talk about tenacious enemies, the Jewish religious leaders, biding their time…to kill Paul.  They tried to kill Paul two years earlier in Jerusalem, the plot was foiled.
(Acts 23:12-22)
Then they tried to get rid of Paul through the Roman judicial system – thwarted, again!  (Acts 24:1-27)

Now a new governor was in power.  Maybe, just maybe the Jewish leaders could state their case before Festus and win!  Festus visited Jerusalem and when he did, Paul’s enemies were ready.

(NASB) Acts 25:2-6 “And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews brought charges against Paul, and they were urging him,
3 requesting a concession against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way).
4 Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself was about to leave shortly.
5 ‘Therefore,’ he said, ‘let the influential men among you go there with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them prosecute him.’
6 After he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea…”

Did you notice the tenacity of Paul’s enemies?  Even after two years, they were still intent on killing him.

Did you notice the wisdom of the new governor?  He traveled to Jerusalem to learn something about those he would be dealing with as governor.  He listened to the Jewish religious leaders’ request but did not grant it.  He did invite them to go to Caesarea with him and bring their charges against Paul.  He was not coerced, manipulated, nor did he let them “pull a fast one” on him.

Did you notice how followers of Christ can learn from Festus?

Prayer:  Festus didn’t pray but we should as we begin new responsibilities and every day thereafter by asking for wisdom.

Processing requests: carefully consider requests before granting them…especially when you are new on the job or in a new situation.

Presenting opportunities: give opportunities to consider requests at a reasonable time.

People you will work with: get to know them; Festus invited the adversaries of Paul to go with him to Caesarea.

New responsibilities require wisdom which impact your job beyond the first days.