Saturday, December 3, 2016

Sat.’s Devo - Paul Stands Before the Political Leaders

Read: Acts 24:1-26:32
Paul had spoken before the religious leaders and given them a chance to repent, but all they wanted to do was to kill him. Then God gave Paul an audience with Tertullus, the governor; Festus, his successor and his wife, Drusilla; King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice. They would have let him go if he had not appealed to Caesar. God wanted Paul to tell the good news to the nation of Rome and give it a chance to repent. God always gives a nation a chance to repent before he pronounces judgement on the nation. Paul was in prison for two years under house arrest. Actually, his house arrest gave him peace from his accusers and safety from their threats of killing him. He was able to write and see his friends. He was not concerned about his comfort or his life - he was concerned about his mission and his destiny of preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
What is worth noting is Paul’s respect and humility before the governing leaders. He realized that God put these people where they were and they were worthy of respect for that reason, if no other. He was concerned about their faith and prayed to convince them of the Way of Jesus. King Agrippa was a Jew, but he was too stooped in tradition and religion to believe the spirit of the law that was manifested in the life of Jesus. So, Paul is off to Rome to speak before Caesar.
I wonder if we miss opportunities to share about our faith because we are too caught up with thinking we should be set free, healed, living in ease. God uses us where we are and sometimes he has to arrange our circumstances so that we will end up where he needs us. This life is not about our comfort or freedom from worry, but about walking in the spirit and fulfilling God’s work on the earth.
Lord, we allow you to put us in circumstances where you can use us. Help us to see the opportunities that you place before us and take them.

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