Acts 25:13-27
Be still: Lord, still my restless heart, gather my senses and speak to me in this reading of your holy Word. Reveal Jesus to me and renew my mind. Amen
Read: Acts 25:13-27
I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. (v25)
Encounter: Paul has had the opportunity of witnessing to two governors and one king. Soon he would be standing before the Emperor himself! One thing is certain: when Jesus says, 'I will take you somewhere' you'd better strap in – because you are in for a wild ride!
A friend quoted to me: 'God’s ability to lead is greater than our ability to follow.' God will get us to the place he has planned, and it’s pretty difficult for us to mess it up! Paul had to wait in prison for two years, plead his case to one governor and another, and now before a visiting King – while still being a leader of young churches, teaching and mentoring their leaders from the confines of a prison. I’m amazed at Paul’s resilience. Writing to one church he said, 'He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.' (Philippians 1:6) Paul knew that God is always in the process of doing something great in us and nothing would be wasted.
We must in turn encourage ourselves that God is leading us to new heights – even if it feels like we’re going over old ground or treading water in the same place. Promotion takes patience. God is working behind the scenes so that when we finally get to the destination, we will be ready. Paul, speaking his case before Felix, Festus and Agrippa, was a training ground for his final witness before Caesar. Nothing is ever wasted in the economy of God.
Apply: What does God have you working on today? Nothing is ever wasted. He might be honing your skills so that when promotion happens you will be ready. Knowing what season we’re in is crucial to the posture we assume. There is a time to be working backstage, and there is time to stand up front and be counted. What season are you in?
Devote: Lord, fill me with your Spirit and complete the work you have begun in me. Give me patience in the waiting—and strength for when I am called to stand.