Monday, October 23
Acts 24:24-26
Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
Devotional:
Felix was a former slave and a brutal governor of Judea (i.e., the region containing Jerusalem). However, he was knowledgeable when it came to Judaism and Christianity. Paul was arrested, falsely accused and nearly killed by the Jews in Jerusalem; Paul now stood before Felix as a part of his legal battle/proceedings. For the next two years, the two men talked (off and on) about Christ.
Felix was interested in and eager for the truth, but that same truth alarmed him because he felt convicted by it. The truth of God’s Word should be alarming to those who do not yet believe. Indeed, the more bitter the conviction, the sweeter the good news of God’s grace becomes. Often though, it takes time. It takes time for a person to process and understand their sinful condition apart from God’s forgiveness. It takes time to understand that God is good and that He desires to rescue those in need. It takes time for most people to decide to receive grace from Jesus Christ. God gave Felix the opportunity to sit under the teaching of one of the greatest evangelists the world has ever seen, and God (out of His great mercy) also gave Felix time to process and respond. God is love… and His love is patient.
Prayer:
Father, You are patient and kind. You don’t envy or boast. You aren’t arrogant or rude. You don’t insist on Your own way and You are not irritable or resentful. You never rejoice in wrong doing, but always rejoice with the truth. Your love endures all things and Your love never fails. God, I desire to love like You. You have placed people in my path and given me opportunities to love. Make my heart more like Yours, that I would be loving and patient… just like You. Amen.
Application:
Today GIVE in a new way. Who have you been praying for? Is there someone you have been speaking with about Jesus for some time now? Do not allow yourself to become discouraged. Instead, renew your faithfulness towards that person; trust in the mercy of God, the power of the Holy Spirit working on the heart of that person, and the love of the Savior. Don’t give up… but as you surrender to Jesus, GIVE the person you love time to process and respond to God’s grace.