oDay 51, Read Ac. 26:12-23. 26:19: "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision."

Note Paul's vision.  1) It was to be a minister before he was a testimony (v16).  We are always servants of God first, willing, and then serving in particular ways.  2) It is an unfolding vision, telling of things known today and things to be revealed (v16).  Our backlog of testimony grows as we grow in the Word and in grace.  3) It was especially to the Gentiles (v17).  4) It involved the gospel (v23).  5) It was a vision to bring change to their lives (v18).  Ministry is not simply a job to be done but a means of bearing fruit (John 15).  Then note the obedience: Paul immediately began to declare, right at Damascus. May we be as quick to obey every leading of the Holy Spirit.

oDay 50, Read Ac. 26:1-11. 26:4: "my manner of life from my youth."

This statement makes 2 strong points about grace.  The first is that we need not be bound by our upbringing.  It is so important to our testimony that we stop blaming today on yesterday.  But we won't do this without the 2nd point of grace, which is that we are bound by our past apart from the promise of resurrection.  This is our only hope.  Paul was bound (v9-11) until he met the resurrected Head.  He, the Lord, raised him to new life.  The world will always think it incredible that God raises the dead (v8), except for those few who accept the gospel of God's grace!

oDay 49, Read Ac. 25:13-27. 25:19: "about a certain Jesus."

There is so much doublespeak by the politicians of Paul's day.  Both Felix and Festus were simply showing favor to the Jews (24:27; 25:9). That can be so frustrating for a church that has to deal with zoning boards or city councils, etc.  But the frustration is taken out when we realize we serve a God who appoints and judges.  All the hoopla by the devil, intended to bind Paul, actually occasions a gospel sermon before high government and civic leaders.  It's because God controls and God has a plan: to build the Church of Christ.  To that extent Festus is right: it's all about Jesus, Who died, and Who is affirmed to be alive.  Remember, when we engage in the great commission, Christ will be with us in power (Mt. 28:19-20).

Psalm 24

We have noted that Psalms 22-24 form a bit of a trilogy concerning the Suffering, All-Sufficient and Sovereign Lord.  Spurgeon’s note on this thought is good: "observe the wondrous operations of the Spirit upon the mind of Israel's sweet singer, enabling him to touch the mournful string in Psalm 22, to pour forth gentle notes of peace in Ps 23, and here to utter majestic & triumphant strains.  We can do or sing all things when the Lord strengtheneth us" (from The Treasury of David, Spurgeon’s note of introduction.)

This Psalm has as a backdrop the bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:12-19).  It is Messianic, thanks to vs.7-10 where the Messianic King enters Jerusalem.  A simple outline might be as follows:

·         The True God, v1-2.

·         The True People, v3-6.

·         The True Redeemer, v7-10.

The Sovereignty of God is based in the thought that a person possesses what he has made.  There was a bit of a humorous story told by Betty Elliot, the missionary to the Auca Indians of Ecuador.  They thought she had stolen her possessions because when they asked her who had made those things she didn’t know the answer.  It is a fundamental, common sense truth that the Creator owns all He has made and what He has made is thus responsible to Him.  That is why people seek to suppress that truth (Rom. 1:18-20) by removing God from the origin of the universe.  Certainly David, who had tried to bring the Ark into the city once before, with tragic consequences (2 Sam. 6:1-11), had learned the truth of God’s rule.

Likewise that story would have emphasized the nature of the people who serve at and come to worship at the place where the Ark of God rested.  This was the place of God’s dwelling with His people.  Thus those people must come in purity.  It was not enough that the leaders were appointed (1 Chron. 15:5-10; 16:4-6).  They must have clean hands (actions) and pure hearts (motives).  James 4:8 repeats this for us.  Men must not think they can serve two masters; thus when they come to worship there can be no idolatry or falsehood.  This is what the Nation (Jacob) was to be.  Certainly their history would prove over and over, and our clear view from this side of the cross would demonstrate as well, that only by faith in God’s Anointed Son could there be the righteousness imputed that would allow us access by grace into the holy of holies!

So now the Ark of the Presence has come to rest in the place David had made for it.  So the Psalm turns to praise as God Himself comes to dwell with His people.  The King of Glory has come in!  If we may be permitted, listen to one of Spurgeon’s commentators (John Boys) expound on the King of Glory.

Christ in 2 respects is the king of Glory.  1. For that all honour and glory belongs properly to him--his is "the kingdom, the power, and the glory" (Mt 6:13), called in this regard "The Lord of glory."  1Cor 2:8. 2. For that Christ maketh us partakers of his glory, termed in this respect our glorious Lord Jesus.  Jas 2:1.  If the Lord of hosts, strong and mighty in battle, be the king of glory, then Christ (having conquered all his enemies, and made them his footstool, triumphing over death, and the devil which is the founder of death, and sin which is the sting of death, and the grave which is the prison of death, and hell itself which is the proper dominion of the devil & death) is doubtless in himself, "the king of glory".  And for as much as he died for our sins, & is risen again for our justification, & is ascended on high to give gifts unto men--in this life grace, in the next glory--what is he less than a "King of glory" towards us of whom and through whom alone we that fight his battles are delivered from the hands of all that hate us, and so made victors (1 Cor 15:57), yea, "more than conquerors." Rom 8:37

Worship the Coming King today!

oDay 47, Read Ac. 25:1-12. 25:11: "I appeal to Caesar."

One wonders why the Jews still want to kill Paul (v3).  Certainly the men who vowed to kill him are not still going without food or water after 2 years.  It can only be that Paul is still a threat to them.  His "prison ministry" was undoubtedly effective. So given their hatred, and Festus' favoring the Jews (v9), it makes sense humanly for Paul to stay away from Jerusalem.  But wait!  God has already told Paul he will testify at Rome; so an appeal to Caesar also makes sense.  So let us summarize about Paul, "the purpose driven man."  His purpose is from God, clearly.  He has no ability to attain this purpose because he is bound.  So he waited actively, living out the Christian life where he was, until God placed him in this position where the appeal is his only way out.  He is not so much "purpose driven" as "God driven!"  Paul did not plan this; he was only available to God.

oDay 47, Read Ac. 24:1-27. 24:25: "he reasoned about righteousness, self-control and judgment to come."

Here we see more benefits for a man secure in God's will.  First, Paul is not infuriated by false accusation.  They call him a plague when he brought help to his nation (v17).  They accuse him of riot when they caused the riot.  They label him a ringleader of a sect when he is a worshiper according to the Way.  Second, Paul is not panicky about the 2 year delay.  He won't admit guilt by paying a bribe, nor does he complain about the favoritism shown the Jews.  None of this effects him for he has a leading from God that is true and he will be in Rome (23:11).  So instead of infuriation and panic he uses the time as we must all use our time: testifying of God's grace and reasoning the gospel.  Paul is bound, but remember his words to Timothy: God's word is not bound! (2Ti. 2:9).

oDay 46, Read Ac. 23:23-35. 23:23: "2 centurions."

This is truly amazing.  When God promises safety He truly comes through.  200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, 200 spearmen, leaving at 3AM!  All for one man who has not been charged with any crime but whose life is really in danger.  Except, again, that God promised safety.  God truly has all the power in the world at His command, even the wicked government.  And from the human level, all this is happening because Paul did not consider his life dear to himself (20:24).  He did not heed those in the Church who warned of danger.  He only wanted to finish the race.  And if that is our desire, God will gladly help.