August 5
Bible Reading: Acts 11:1-3
Acts 11:2-3, “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Sometimes, followers of Jesus must make tough decisions, fully aware that these choices will attract criticism, even from friends. Such was Peter’s situation. By meeting with uncircumcised men, he went against Jewish laws and traditions. The apostles and brothers in Jerusalem heard about it and demanded an explanation.
Peter knew the potential repercussions of meeting with Cornelius and his friends, but it was God who guided him to make that choice. He received a threefold vision, and the Spirit gave him specific instructions to go. In faith, he followed the Spirit’s leading, taking a path he would have never before imagined taking.
Spirit-led believers will sometimes find themselves in similar positions. Good leaders will inevitably be compelled to make unpopular decisions. But Jesus is Lord of the church and our lives. We serve and seek to please Him and will give an account to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Don’t be afraid to take the path less traveled when faced with divergent choices. Jesus walked such a path, and He has called us to “follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
Peter’s tough choice ultimately led to the salvation of those Gentiles and opened a door to a new dispensation of missionary outreach to even the remote parts of the earth, of which you yourself have been a beneficiary.
In making tough choices, it is the approval of God and not the applause of men that matters.
HAVE FAITH IN GOD
Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely,
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.
Chorus
Have faith in God, He’s on His throne;
Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.
Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient,
Have faith in God, He’ll answer yet. [Chorus]
Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there. [Chorus]
Have faith in God though all else fail about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own;
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish,
He rules, He reigns upon His throne. [Chorus]
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