Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 72-73; Acts 26
Devotional Thought:
When God called the apostle Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus, He told him that he would be a witness unto the Gentiles and kings. Paul may have never dreamed they would be in these circumstances, but nonetheless he is faithfully giving the gospel to a king! Paul is going to use five key arguments in his defense before King Agrippa. (1) I was religious but lost. “… I lived a Pharisee.” (vs. 5) Paul makes the case that he was as devout as any of these accusers, but he was spiritually lost. He mentions that he was so zealous that he imprisoned many of the Christians because he was offended by their commitment to a risen Christ. (2) I had God get my attention. “I saw in the way a light from heaven” (vs. 13) Paul recognized that God had orchestrated this event to get his attention. Have you ever had God get your attention? God, in His grace, confronted Paul where he was. (3) I heard God speak to me. “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” (vs. 13-15) I will never understand or get over the fact that the powerful Creator of the universe talks to me personally. That He cares about the events going on in my life and He cares about my future. He loves me so much that He whispered in my ear, at age 8, that He had paid the price for my sin and desired to give me a gift, the gift of eternal life. That day changed my life as it did the apostle Paul’s life. (4) God called me to serve Him. “I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness… to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins…” (vs. 16-18) God had saved Paul for a purpose and that purpose is the same purpose for which He has called you and me. God has not called us to the same people, to minister in the same way; however, He has called us to share the gospel and see people turned from darkness to light. How have you been doing? (5) I have simply obeyed the risen Christ. “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient…” (vs. 19) Paul ends his defense with a simple acknowledgement that he is doing what God called him to do. Festus, probably under conviction, calls Paul crazy, but Paul just calmly reiterates that this is the simple truth and should be taken seriously. King Agrippa’s response was, “Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian.” (vs. 28) To which Paul explains that his desire was for everyone, including the king, to experience the change of life that he has experienced and now enjoys. And with that defense the two men talking together in secret said, “This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds…” (vs. 31)
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to be as willing as Paul to unashamedly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ at any cost. Help me to recognize that you have saved me for this purpose and called me to this great cause.
• Lord, thank you for confronting me with my sin and empty future, and for extending the wonderful words of life that have transformed my life from darkness to light.
• Thank you for the reminder in this story that life may not always be pleasant, fair, or enjoyable, but being faithful to my calling now will produce eternal reward and benefit.