November 12
Bible Reading: Acts 25:6-8
Acts 25:7, “When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.”
Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Even after 2 years, the Jews still had no solid evidence against Paul. Despite that, their hatred was so great that nothing would deter them from trying to destroy him. The Jews who’d come down from Jerusalem stood around him. Imagine that scene, with Paul surrounded by folks with hearts full of hatred and eyes filled with fury! They came down from Jerusalem, since Jerusalem was at a higher elevation, but they came down not just physically, but morally, for they came to cast falsehoods.
Paul, like Jesus, was falsely accused (Matthew 27:13). They may have been serious, but they were groundless, unfounded, and uncorroborated. The truth mattered not to these Jews. The only thing that mattered was the elimination of Paul and his message by any means necessary!
From an earthly perspective, it appeared as if the whole world was against Paul. He was seemingly all alone in the fight. But he was never truly alone, for the Lord stood with him. And by the Spirit, he was emboldened and encouraged to keep on fighting the good fight.
John G. Butler wrote, “The world may put Christianity in a lowly, scorned position. But that does not change the value of Christianity or the vileness of evil. When evil seems overpowering and threatening to destroy, be encouraged that God is with the righteous; and, therefore, they will eventually be the victors.”
You may never face persecution to the extent as the Apostle Paul. But all those who stand for truth do, in one way or another (2 Timothy 3:12). The Lord, who is greater than all, stood with Paul. And He stands with all those who belong to Him!
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” – 1 John 4:4
O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED
O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.
Oh, let me feel Thee near me;
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.
LookingtoJesus 