Daily Reflections January 25

Acts 25

Paul spent two years in prison here. Not only did he face the harsh conditions of imprisonment but the constant physical attacks, charges against him, and tribunals naturally took a toll on him. These were hard years but there are two things in this chapter that may help us shift our perspective to a more biblically healthy viewpoint on Christian suffering for both Paul and ourselves.

The fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan will often mean that we must suffer. King Agrippa II arrived and would now hear Paul’s defense against the accusations against him. He continues to move from lesser to higher authority. And with each higher authority there exists a more likely probably that he will be charged and executed. So as the narrative continues to climax, we begin to empathize with Paul. We may wish that Paul was simply let go and wonder why he appeals to Caesar. And this is where we need to be reminded, as Paul knew, that this was God’s plan for him. The coming of Agrippa II was a fulfillment of what Jesus said to Ananias about Paul way back in chapter 9. We read,

“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:15)

Through Paul’s suffering God was giving him a platform to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ not only to the masses but to kings and authorities that may never have been reached otherwise. And because we live in a world hostile to Christ, we will likely suffer. But that hardship is always either for our sanctification or for the redemptive purpose that God has ordained for other people to see or hear about the Gospel. Don’t waste your suffering. View it as a gift and opportunity from God for you and others that may never hear the Gospel otherwise.

Many times our sufferings reveal the state of the hearts of those who persecute us. This trial had no real basis of proof to lay against Paul. The Jewish authorities knew it and so did Festus. We know that the chief priests simply saw Paul, just like Jesus, as a threat to their power and authority. So in their acts we can clearly see their hearts of pride and selfishness. In Festus, we see his heart which is absorbed with the fear of man and the desire of the favor of men. In verse 9, Luke makes this clear when he says,

“But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor…” (Acts 25:9a)

Sometimes when we have been wronged, we tend to only focus on our own situation and feelings. Therefore, we often only pray for ourselves. But here, we are reminded that often, the sufferings that we experience bring us face to face with the true heart condition and motivations of others. If we took the time to see those and pray for God to transform them, I wonder how different our suffering would look. Try it! Next time your spouse or your children or your coworker slights you, consider the underlying issue or sin that they may be dealing with in their heart. And resolve to focus on helping them fight their struggle with sin rather than them as a person. Perhaps you don’t even share it with them, just simply pray that God would mend and revive that area of their life.

Yours in Christ,

Associate Pastor Evan Webster

Esther 2

 

Esther is a most unusual book in the Biblical canon. It is one of two books in the Scriptures that does not make a single reference to God. Readers will not find God appearing in a glorious theophany, nor will they see God being given credit for His providential ordering of circumstances. Nevertheless, at the end of the story, the reader is supposed to go away with a deeper appreciation for the God who often works behind the scenes to bring about the good of His people.

The first two chapters of the book set the stage for the main plot. We are introduced to several notable characters including Esther, Mordecai, and King Ahasuerus. The story is told how Esther, a young Jewish lady, rose through the ranks to find herself queen to the King of Persia. Her story of becoming queen, however, is not a glorious one. Esther, along with many other young women, are subjected to the sexual desires of a crude king (2:12-13). While Esther rose to prominence, many other women were left to fade into obscurity in the king’s harem (v. 14).

Matthew Henry makes the following comments regarding the depravity found in this story:

“We may see, by this instance, to what absurd practices those came who were destitute of divine revelation, and who, as a punishment for their idolatry, were given up to vile affections. Having broken through that law of creation which resulted from God’s making man, they broke through another law, which was founded upon his making one man and one woman. See what need there was of the gospel of Christ to purify men from the lusts of the flesh and to reduce them to the original institution." [1]

The story of Esther is the story of a young Jewish girl who is caught up in the depraved plans of a pagan king. Yet despite these undesirable circumstances, Esther earns favour from all the right people and eventually finds herself in a position to be used mightily by God. In many regards this is a story reminiscent of Joseph’s rise to prominence in Egypt. Joseph’s own words at the end of his story will help us make sense of what God is here doing in the story of Esther.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)

Reader, it is possible that you find yourself in a situation where God seems distant and blind. Take comfort, however, that God is neither of these things. Even when sin surrounds us on every side we can take comfort that God is working all things together for His glory and the good of His people.

Director of Youth Ministries Ryan Shevalier


[1] www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/esther/2.html

 

Cornerstone Baptist Church Blogs and News