November 15
Bible Reading: Acts 25:23-27
Acts 25:23, “So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city.”
Pomp, defined as a grand and ostentatious display, is exemplified in Acts 25:23, where King Agrippa and Bernice entered the audience hall with great spectacle, surrounded by military tribunes and prominent citizens. This moment contrasts sharply with the life of the Apostle Paul, whose humble ministry unfolded amid significant trials.
After his conversion, God informed Ananias that Paul would be a chosen instrument to proclaim His name to Jews, Gentiles, and kings (Acts 9:15). Paul’s journey was fraught with difficulties, yet each circumstance was part of God’s predetermined plan to spread the message of Jesus in unexpected ways.
During his two-year imprisonment under Felix, Paul faced many serious charges that his opponents could not prove (Acts 25:7). Ultimately, he chose to appeal to Caesar rather than return to Jerusalem (Acts 25:8-12). When Agrippa arrived in Caesarea, he expressed a desire to hear Paul, leading to a grand assembly filled with political elites.
King Agrippa, a man of significant power and influence, was accompanied by his sister Bernice, whose tumultuous personal life was the subject of scandal. Their ostentatious entrance was designed to impress, but in that audience hall, Paul stood as the most powerful figure, despite his lack of worldly status. While Agrippa was adorned in physical splendor, Paul was spiritually so in Christ and had been used by Christ to beautify countless souls.
Though Paul’s appearance lacked pomp and circumstance, his faithful devotion left a profound legacy (2 Timothy 4:7-8, 18). Like Jesus, whose ministry was marked by humility (Isaiah 53:2), Paul exemplified a true and lasting spiritual beauty before God, showing that greatness in God’s kingdom often comes without outward display. Inside his ordinary and fragile jar of clay, Paul possessed the treasure of the “knowledge of the glory of God I the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:7)! And that’s true splendor!
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”- The Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 4:7).
GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY
God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow’r;
crown your ancient Church’s story,
bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
Lo, the hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways.
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
Cure your children’s warring madness;
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore.
LookingtoJesus 