Happy Tuesday! Thank you for patiently waiting for this devotion/post. In our society today we are at parallels with justifying actions – right and wrong actions. Have you ever struggled to do the right thing? In today’s verses we will read on Festus’ struggle to justify an action. Join me as we finish our reading in Acts chapter 25.

Bible verse – Acts 25:23-27 NLT

“²³ So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. ²⁴ Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. ²⁵ But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.

²⁶ “But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write. ²⁷ For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!”“

Reflection

Fetus was in a position to make the right choice and release Paul from prison. However, Fetus like most people struggled with making the right choice. Fetus like the governoring leaders before him went along with the Jewish leaders and their false charges against Paul for political gain. The governoring leaders did not kill Paul like the Jewish leaders demanded but they kept him imprisoned on false charges – knowing Paul was innocent.

Fetus called on other leaders to help him justify why he should continue to keep Paul imprisoned, send him to Ceasar and have him tried in Rome.

Sister and brothers, we read throughout acts and on several accounts that Paul was innocent. That the charges against him were religious and not deserving of death. Yet, Paul was still a prisoner because leaders were unwilling to do the right thing – make the right choice.

In this life, we have learned every decision we make or refuse to make has a consequence. Some how our decisions or failure to make a decision has an impact on others as well.

It is always easier to exam someone’s motives or actions, but we have a hard time doing the same for ourselves. So, I will ask the question again, have you ever struggled to do the right thing?

• Maybe you know the very thing that you do on a daily basis is against what you believe, but you do it anyway?
• Maybe you know if you did the right thing that it would cost you relationships or financial gain?
• Maybe you know that your emotions and actions are not aligned with God’s desire, but you put your desires first?

Sisters and brothers, we know Paul was wrongly imprisoned and others justified it because they were to weak to make a decision to do the right thing. But fortunately God has given every believer the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us discern right from wrong. The word reminds us that when we are weak, He is strong. Will you ask the Lord to help you become victorious over areas in your life where you are weak, with the things or decisions you struggle with that do not please Him – in Jesus name?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for today! Thank you for your continued love toward us and for always pointing us back to you. Lord, forgive us for making decisions that do not align with your word or for sitting back on the sidelines when someone was falsely accused. Lord, may we be a nation that humbles itself, repents, turns to you, and does the right thing in your eyes. Lord, silence the key strokes and megaphones being used in underground chats, blogs, and on the dark web to destroy our love for one another. Lord, end the corruption and conspiracies that are dividing your people. Lord always give us clarity to know the right thing to do, to be brave enough to do the right thing, to care for others who have been unjustly treated and be obedient to Your guidance. Lord, protect us all from the enemies attack on our minds, our relationship with you, the church, and our nation. Lord, when you examine our hearts today and the weeks to come may it be filled with 100% of you flowing through it. Be our shelter, our strength and our peace in Jesus name, amen.

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