Testimony
Day 507, Wednesday, Dec. 31
Acts Chapter 14
Paul and Barnabas continue their preaching journey to more cities, and many more people are brought into the Christian faith. Their mission is not without challenges, though.
When they preached in Iconium, we read, “The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.”
That statement can be a little confusing. We need to remember that many of the converts were themselves Jews—when we read of “the Jews” opposing the apostles, keep in mind that this is only part of the Jewish community—the part that resisted the message they were preaching.
In Lystra Paul and Barnabas faced a very different challenge. After they heal a lame man, the pagan crowd believes them to be gods and tries to worship them.
Paul and Barnabas deny that they are gods, saying they are only human and have come to call the people away from their worship of idols.
They present an argument that Paul will use in his letters, saying, “In the past,[God] let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has show kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
While the pagans did not have the explicit revelation of God and his law that the Jews had, they received blessings that should have allowed them at least a glimpse of God and his faithfulness.
As they encounter opposition and even plots to stone them or kill them, Paul and Barnabas encourage the believers to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Wednesday meditation
Psalms 51:10-19
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Prayer focus
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.