Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Psalms 72 -73; Acts 26
Time to stand – Acts 26:24-32
24 While he was making this defense, Festus exclaimed, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth. 26 Indeed the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
30 Then the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and those who had been seated with them; 31 and as they were leaving, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to the emperor.”
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Paul is standing before the king of Herod Agrippa. He is in chains and stands in front of people with power. However, he has no fear nor shame of what he believes as the truth.
We can share our thoughts with no fear nor shame, but if it is not true, it makes no sense. It does not have the power to change one’s heart. However, Pauls testimony was a truth he was passionate to share, and which many had to listen. Even though it did not convert Agrippa, although that might have never been the end goal, it surely convinced the king that Paul was following the truth.
Paul’s words are powerful, when he says, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.” It is an invitation to follow the truth.
There is the truth we need to stand for, how God so loved the world, and how God calls us to love people, not hate. We might need to stand up for the truth, no matter it takes.
Prayer
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer. In Christ name we pray, Amen.
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