SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 26:31 They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
OBSERVATION: King Agrippa, while visiting Festus, the new Judean governor, had shown an interest in Paul’s situation. In the verses above, Paul had just made his defense before King Agrippa. In Agrippa’s mind, it was a miscarriage of justice. Paul was clearly innocent. Paul should have been set free.
But God saw things differently. Paul would testify as to the Risen Savior in Rome, and Rome was going to provide the transportation and the security for the journey! Also, Paul would need some settled, quiet time to write letters which would later become part of our Bible. He would have that in prison.
APPLICATION: More than once have things that appeared so wrong to me proved to be so right. Instead of letting things get me unsettled in my spirit, I must remember just Who lives inside me; How powerful He is, He loves me immensely; He can turn what is against me to be for me. God enjoys working thing out for my good and for His glory!
Getting upset about things happening to me is proof that I am looking at them from the viewpoint of my limitations. I ask myself questions like, “What am I supposed to do now?” “Who do they think I am?”
But really, what they think is unimportant. What I think is critical. Am I really working for the Lord? Did He send me? Did He promise to take care of me?
I am a child of the Most High God! The Holy Spirit has made me His dwelling place! Paul was not alone in the prison cells! He had his most far-reaching ministry while in prison. I, too, am not alone! God is working in and through me. I should see things from the viewpoint of heaven.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, keep me focused on the big picture. Help me focus beyond my current circumstances and catch a view of eternity. Amen
Pastor Leon
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