Tuesday, October 24
Acts 25:22-26:1
Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 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. But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense…
Devotional:
Felix was succeeded by Festus as governor of Judea. King Agrippa visited Festus, heard about Paul’s case, and desired to hear Paul’s side of the story with his own ears. Incredibly, God was answering Paul’s prayer/desire to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to Rome. And at the very same time, God was divinely-orchestrating countless situations during this first imprisonment where Paul could share the gospel with people that would never otherwise hear it. WOW, how smart and amazing is the Lord!Undoubtedly, Paul was praying for the leaders of the government; that they would hear the words of Christ and turn to Him for salvation. We are wise to do the same for the leaders of our government.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I need your help to be selfless. It is right for me to embrace every situation you lead me into; it is an opportunity to love like You. Help me to be selfless in my prayers as well. Help me to pray for the welfare of others (instead of for people in ways that benefit me). Renew my mind (over and over) with thoughts of Jesus; as my Saviour, my example, and the One who leads me and empowers me to be Christ like. I pray for government leaders now. Lord, give them ears to hear from You. Surround them with believers and those who will point them to Jesus. May they turn to You and find new life. May they lead in ways that bring You honor. Engineer it all, Lord, for Your glory. Amen.
Application:
PRAY in a new way today. In your mind, consider three of your government leaders. Set a reminder (in your phone) to PRAY for one of them during the morning hours, one of them in the afternoon and the remaining one in the evening. PRAY for their faith in Jesus Christ to begin and/or be strengthened. PRAY for their receptivity as the Holy Spirit guides them towards making decisions that honor God. PRAY that God would bless them and that they would recognize God as the giver of all good things. PRAY that in the tough times, they would seek God for refuge and find Him