Tues.’s Devo - Warriors of the Faith

Read: 1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18; Acts 28:1-31; Psalm 9:1-12; Peters 19:1-3 Once Saul was dead, all Israel asked David to be their king. At Hebron, David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. They anointed him king and he went on to Jerusalem which was called Jebus then. David had captured Jebus from the Jebusites. He challenged his men that whoever led the attack would be his commanding officer of his army. Joab, his own nephew led the attack and became his commanding officer. A list of David’s mightiest men was written down along with some of their exploits. Three of them men were esteemed above the rest. Two of them were named, but the Third is not mentioned here. David’s original army of men that were with him when he was fleeing from Saul were recorded also. Warriors from Gad that had supported David when he was hiding in the wilderness were mentioned. They were expert warriors. *** Men from Judah and Benjamin came to David where he was staying and pledged their allegiance to him. *** Paul and his ship of sailors and Roman officers had landed on the island of Malta. The people of the island welcomed them and built a fire since it was cold and rainy. Paul helped gather wood for the fire and was bitten by a poisonous snake. It attached itself to his arm and he threw it into the fire. The Maltan’s were superstitious and thought he must be a bad man to have a snake bite him. When nothing happened to Paul, they changed their minds and decided he must be a god. *** Paul was invited to stay with Publius, the chief official of the island. Publius had a father who was very sick with fever and dysentery. Paul prayed for him and he was healed. Other people of the island brought their sick to him and they were also healed. They people were so thankful, they gave Paul and his shipmates everything they needed and more. They stayed there throughout the winter and left in the spring. They made several stops and met other believers. They finally made it to Rome where Paul was greeted by Jewish brothers and sisters. Paul was so grateful to meet them. When Paul had been there for three days, he called to gather the local Jewish leaders and told him his story. They were interested in hearing what Paul believed because they had not had it explained to them. They just knew that it was controversial. They set up a meeting and when the time came, many came to hear Paul’s teaching. He taught all day from scripture, explaining that Jesus was the fulfillment of that scripture. Many believed but some did not. When it was over and they were arguing, he quoted the scripture from Isaiah about the Jewish people’s hearts being hardened that they would not hear or understand. He explained to them that this salvation was not just offered to them but to the Gentiles also and they were believing it. *** Paul spent the next two years living in Rome and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with no opposition. *** Lord, may we be like Paul who could shake off that snake into the fire and not let the people who opposed him get to him. He set his heart toward his purpose and did not waver. May we be that strong and steadfast. May your name be exalted in our lives today.