Good morning! Have you ever requested something because you weren’t certain how things would turn out? Did you wish you had allowed things to play out? Join me as we read the final verses in Acts chapter 26.

Bible verse – Acts 26:24-32 NLT

“²⁴ Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”

²⁵ But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. ²⁶ And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner!  ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—”

²⁸ Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”^[f]

²⁹ Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”

³⁰ Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. ³¹ As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” ³² And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.””

Key Points

• Paul was called insane for his belief.
• King Agrippa deflected the question so that he would not be known for siding with Paul.
• Paul humbly announced his prayer for all to become Christians.
• Finally, everyone was in agreement that Paul was innocent.

Reflection

Paul had been through a lot. He had spent several years in prison on charges that were not true and confirmed unworthy of death in Acts 23:9, 23:29, and 25:25.

Paul could have cried out, Lord where are you? Paul could have turned away from Christianity because things did not work out how he had planned. He could have made everyone involved in his legal precedings an enemy. Yet, sisters and brothers we read about how Paul continued in faith even to the point of praying for those who did not believe.

Unfortunately, there is wickedness in this world. There are people who benefit from others pain and others who justify it. Sisters and brothers, do not lose heart continue in the hope of Christ Jesus. Pray for those who are non believers. Pray for those who have lost hope. Pray for your enemies even when you don’t know when or how the Lord will turn the situation around in your favor. Until then ask the Lord to release bitterness from your heart and to allow wisdom and discernment to overflow within you without the presence of hate, but with love.

Sisters and brothers, stay in faith! The Lord knows what He is doing.

Prayer

Father God we thank you for all the love and mercy that you have shown us. Thank you for loving us in the midst of trials and tribulations. Lord, we are thankful for you and all that you do for us. Lord, we ask for your continued protection upon us. Lord, we pray for those who are walking in darkness with evil intentions. Lord, we know you are all powerful and all knowing, and we ask that you begin to change the hearts of those who are filled with hate. Lord, you know bitterness and anger has continued to perpetuate in this nation and around the world. You know the lies, the deception and the agendas of the wicked. Lord, You are truth, love, grace and mercy. Lord, pour out your truth and love on all of us. Lord forgive us of the times when we did not walk in truth. Lord forgive us for the times when we knew the truth but did not stand with our fellow sisters and brothers in truth and love. Lord we pray for a peaceful transition of power in our nation this week. Calm the spirits of those who are angry and seeking to harm people because they do not agree. Lord, disrupt the plans of the wicked. Lord, we pray for the new leaders who will be coming into office this week and ask that you work through them in a mighty way. Lord, use them as you have used others to do your will in truth and in alignment with you. In Jesus name, amen.

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