Mon.’s Devo - The Boldness of Paul

Read: 1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81; Acts 26:1-32; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 28:20-21 The armies of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh were the tribes that settled east of the Jordan. They were on the outskirts of the land and fought many enemies to protect all of Israel. They were great warriors but their mistake was they took 100,000 people captive when God told them to kill them. Because of this those captives led them into idolatry. God sent King Pul of Assyria to invade their land and took them as exiles to Assyria. *** The tribe of Levi was divided into three families: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The descendants of Kohath were the ones who served as the high priests in the Temple of God. They were sent into exile under Nebuchadnezzar. *** The family of Kohath included Samuel. They led the music in the Temple. The family of Aaron was from this family and they alone served as the priests. They performed all the sacrifices and offerings to the Lord. They lived around Jerusalem. They were also given towns in the territory of Benjamin, and the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan. *** The family of Gershon received towns in Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, the half-tribe of Manasseh on the east of the Jordan, Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, Ephraim, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali. *** The remaining descendants of Merari received towns of Zebulun, Reuben, and Gad. Every tribe had access to the law and the ministers of God. *** In Acts, God had told Paul that he would testify of him in Rome and he was given his chance to give his testimony in front of King Agrippa and all who were present. He boldly told his own experience and testified that Jesus had died and rose from the dead. *** When he got the part where he explained that the scripture and the prophets all said that this good news would be preached and accepted by the Gentiles and the whole world, the Jews got extremely agitated and yelled that he was crazy. *** Paul appealed to Agrippa and asked him if he believed the prophets. Agrippa didn’t like being singled out, but Paul continued to push his point. He told the king that he wished he would become a believer also. *** The king and his officials met to discuss Paul’s fate. They agreed that he was not guilty of a crime and could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar. *** Lord, may our testimony be what drives us to do your will. May our lives glorify you.