oDay 52, Read Ac. 26:24-32. 26:24: "you are beside yourself."

The world cannot withstand the gospel.  It is foolishness to Gentiles.  So first they accused them of being drunk (Acts 2), then of turning the world upside down, of destroying business (Acts 19), and of sedition against Rome.  And now, "you are mad!"  But as Paul rightly says, "I speak words of truth and reason."  Thus the world will not engage in genuine debate very often.  Muslims and Jews alike forbid Christian witness in their societies.  Let us not forget the power of the gospel to save.  It is compelling truth for those who hear.

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.

oDay 45, Read Ac. 23:12-22. 23:13: "40 who had bound this conspiracy."

These men were like "jihadists," willing to die, bent on murder/ assassination.  We often marvel at the determination of such people today.  But note that God promised Paul safety to get to Rome.  And if God doesn't want Paul to die then he won't die.  Thus the 40 terrorists are thwarted by God through a young boy, and then the Roman army.  We must remember this today in outreach to the world.  We must listen to God, not those who warn of danger.  The question is not: is this ministry safe?  The question is: is this ministry God's ministry?

oDay 44, Read Ac. 23:1-11. 23:6: "I am a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee."

Paul does what David did before the Philistine king: he uses a rouse to save his life.  Except in Paul's case what he says is true.  Note that there is no sign that God is displeased or that Paul is failing to trust God.  He is still given a greater mission in the dream (v11).  The thing to note is the way Paul used the division in the Sanhedrin.  They had a political alliance for the sake of peace; but they had no spiritual alliance.  We must remember that doctrine is the basis for life, including politics, economics, family and education.  Thus we must be careful in our alliances.

oDay 43, Read Ac. 22:17-30. 22:22: "they listened to him until this word."

Paul had much in his background and testimony that opened a door to the Jews.  But we must never forget that in the end, the gospel is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.  The Jews stumble, for example, at the thought that their beloved Messiah could possibly be Savior of the Gentile as well.  And the Roman commander can only see foolishness in it all, wondering what could possibly be so important as to cause such an uproar.  Those wanting to be seeker friendly must be aware of all this.  We must not appeal to the worldliness of unbelievers to gain an opening.  It will only confuse the situation when the real obstacle, Jesus Christ, is presented!

Psalm 23

What Psalm is more recognizable than this?  None!  Thus we need to ask God to help us to meditate truly and deeply on it.  Familiarity breeds contempt.  It breeds a casual approach, or pride that says “I have benefited from this one many times; there is no more to learn.”  May we say the obvious: none of us has EVER studied this Psalm in the life-context of this moment?  We will find today fresh and unique applications of what our Lord and Shepherd provides for us. 

Often our familiarity comes from what someone else said.  We have perhaps heard Psalm 23 at nearly every funeral service we ever attended.  Or maybe it was committed to memory back in the recesses of our childhood minds.  We would do well to ask: have you really studied this Psalm? 

With this in mind we will ask you to fill in some blanks that require at the very least thinking about each of the phrases.  The point of the Psalm is that we have such a Shepherd as Jesus, the Good Shepherd, that as sheep we never lack anything.  And may I say, by the way, that Jesus is Israel’s Shepherd.  In Ezekiel 34:23-24 Jesus is the future Davidic Shepherd who will care for Israel.  The “Good Shepherd” sermon of John 10 is initially directed at the woeful shepherds of Israel, with Jesus saying that He will have sheep both from the fold of Israel and the fold of the Church (Jn. 10:16).  Remember Jesus is preeminent over all; He is both King of Israel and Head of the Body.

I have filled in the first and last blanks.  Please do the rest, answering the question “I shall not want for ….”  And by all means meditate on the word!  What issue in your life today has been a source of complaint to you because you have not followed your Shepherd?  Submit yourself to the One who has given us everything for life and godliness, in Whom we have every spiritual blessing!

        "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want" for...

He makes me to lie down in green pastures	Rest
He leads me beside the still waters	Refreshment
He restores my soul	Restoration
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake	Righteousness
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil	Refuge/Resolve
For You are with me	Reassurance
Your rod and Your staff they comfort me	Relief
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies	Resources
You anoint my head with oil	Rejuvenation Ps. 92:10 Rejoicing Ps. 45:7
My cup runs over	Richness
Surely goodness & mercy shall follow me all the days of my life	Redemption
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever	Relationship

oDay 42, Read Ac. 22:1-16. 22:11: "the glory of that light."

Many things in Paul's testimony appeal to the Jews: his Jewish background, association with Gamaliel and Ananias, and his persecution of the Way.  But don't miss the significance of a great light.  The glory of God had filled the tabernacle and temple at different times.  It departed 400 years earlier & how the Jews must have hoped for it's return.  Now Paul refers to a bright light and his appropriate recognition that it is the Lord (v8).  The way God worked in Paul's life gave him the testimony that would be most compelling.  We don't need to contrive or embellish or flatter in our testimonies.  God's work of grace will be useful to God at the right time and place.  Trust Him!

oDay 41, Read Ac. 21:27-40. 21:37: "Can you speak Greek?"

In this one passage we see all the major facets of Paul's birth and upbringing being used of God to not only spare his life but to give an amazing opportunity to preach Christ to the temple crowd.  His Greek language and Roman citizenship give him favor with the Romans.  His Hebrew language and Jewish origin give him an opening with the Jews.  We ought always to reject the idea that our birth and background make us useless to God.  God uses all kinds of yielded people.

oDay 40, Read Ac. 21:15-26. 21:25: "except that they should."

In Proverbs one of the 7 deadly sins is sowing discord among brothers (Prov. 6:19).  The New Testament warns about the same matter (Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 3:17; Titus 3:10).  Paul was indeed controversial, but he was by no means divisive.  Here we see him, not only leaning over backwards to placate the Jews, but submitting himself to the Jerusalem Church Elders.  You see the man who cared deeply for the Church and the churches.  It is interesting that there was no division between Peter and Paul, though they had distinctively different areas of ministry (Gal. 2:9; 2 Pet. 3:14-16).  It is not often today that 2 men with successful ministries get together or work to support each other.  How sad!

oDay 39, Read Ac. 21:1-14. 21:14: "the will of the Lord be done."

Many people rely on circumstances to help them know the will of God.  Paul destroys this as a pillar of prescience.  In this passage Paul goes to Jerusalem in spite of repeated warnings of trouble, even from a prophet.  Paul had heeded this type of warning before (19:30) but not this time.  This is the same Paul who left Troas on one occasion even though a door was open for ministry (2 Cor. 2:12-13).  Fear of persecution is usually a sign not to go somewhere.  An open door is usually a sign  to go ahead and go.  But for Paul the Lord's will was the opposite in each case.  So I must recognize this in my life.  Going with circumstances  usually requires little faith, whereas following the Lord's will always requires much faith.

oDay 38, Read Ac. 20:28-38. 20:38: "they would see his face no more."

Parting can be hard, especially when the person leaving is depended on.  Do you remember the difficulty the disciples had accepting Christ's departure?  Yet the Lord left them with all they needed: the Holy Spirit, prayer in His name, the hope of heaven, the promise of peace (John 14).  So what could Paul possibly leave these Elders?  He left instruction (v28-31), an example of ministry (v31), the Word of grace (v32), an example of lifestyle (v33-35), a prayer of intercession (v36), and his tender affection (v37).  Christ gave abundantly, yet I too must leave those I disciple with something of Christ as well.

oDay 37, Read Ac. 20:17-27. 20:24: "that I may finish my race with joy."

 Paul's personal testimony is obviously something the Elders already knew.  Paul was transparent and true to the Lord.  He had suffered persecution (v19) and yet was heading for more and greater persecution (v23).  This is all true because Paul was a man with a passion to finish the race.  So let us note: finishing the race requires staying put to declare the whole counsel of God (v27,31) while at the same time moving on, even in the face of persecution.

Psalm 22

What a truly amazing Psalm.  It is full of fulfilled prophecy, which is always exciting.  But it is one of the most descriptive passages of the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.  That, more than anything else, thrills the heart of the believer.  Consider some opening thoughts.

·         This is the first of three consecutive Psalms that highlight the past, present and future ministry of the Messiah.

o   Ps. 22: Psalm of the Cross / The Suffering Savior

o   Ps. 23: Psalm of the Crook / The Good Shepherd (it’s the Shepherd’s crook, His staff)

o   Ps. 24: Psalm of the Crown / The Coming King

·         There is no known incident in David’s life that matches this Psalm.  It is quite possible it was written by David completely under the influence of the Holy Spirit, purely for Messianic purposes.  It describes things about the Messiah that were not known in David’s time, especially the practice of crucifixion which was a Roman form of execution.

·         No Psalm is so frequently quoted in the New Testament.

·         Here is an outline:

1)       v1-21: the Prayer

(1)     v1-2: problem with God

(2)     v3-5: yet God is not at fault

(3)     v6-8: problem with others

(4)     v9-11: yet God put me here

(5)     v12-18: problem with me

(6)     v19-21: but God can rescue

2)       v22-31: the Praise

a)       v22-24: personal

b)       v25-31: praise from others

The opening line is perhaps quite recognizable as they are the words Jesus spoke from the cross.  But dwell here before moving on.  It sets the stage for the entire Psalm.  But more than that, it tells us wonderful things of our God and Savior Jesus Christ as well as His Father! 

God is the God of the Son of God, the One who took on flesh and dwelt among us.  He says “My” God.  Remember that without giving up His deity our Lord humbled Himself under the mighty hand of God.  He came to do the Father’s will.  And His humble obedience brought Him to the cross.  To say, “not my will but thine be done” was to acquiesce to the Father’s plan.  The Father who was not willing that any should perish, who said He took no pleasure in the death of the wicked, nevertheless for the love of the world sent His One and Only Son, whom He loved, to die in our place.

His God forsook Him.  The Father turned His back on the Son.  Such is the affliction of our Lord who bore our sins on the tree.  The holy and righteous One became sin for us.  Thus the eternal, never at any other time broken fellowship of the Father and Son, was broken in the hours of darkness, from noon to three on the day of preparation when all the lambs were being cleansed and then slaughtered at the altar of sacrifice on the north side of the door to the temple.  There was no help for the Son of God.  He hung alone in the universe, groaning, crying out to His God who did not hear.  What pain in our stead!  What a terrible price we owed!  What a grievous enemy is sin!  What a true and faithful Savior is Jesus!

And did our Lord become bitter that He was forsaken?  Did He cry out in self-pity at His undeserved ill treatment?  No He did not!  He yet acknowledged and confessed the holiness of His God, enthroned in the praises of Israel.  He did not deny the faithful God who was trusted by the fathers who were never ashamed, never disappointed when they trusted.

Why must He suffer so?  Why must the righteous ever suffer? 

·         Sometimes we forget to pray (Jas. 4:2).

·         The answer may be on the way (Mt. 6:8).

·         Maybe Satan has delayed the answer (Dan. 10:13).

·         Perhaps there is yet a lesson to be learned (Heb. 12:5).

·         Perhaps the answer is “more grace” (2 Cor. 12:9; Jas. 4:6).

·         Perhaps there is more glory for God by our endurance (1 Pt. 1:7).

·         Perhaps the answer is already there for us (Josh. 7:10).

·         Maybe we will learn greater comfort to share with others (2 Cor. 1:4).

·         The delay may achieve greater victory (Ex. 5:19-6:1).  God hardens Pharaoh’s heart; Israel suffers more; and God does greater things.  If Stephen does not die, perhaps Paul is not saved.

·         Perhaps we have not yet learned Christ (Phil. 3:10).

·         Perhaps we cling too tightly to this world (2 Cor. 5:2).

There is no end of potential reasons that we might like to know.  In the end all we can say is that it is the Father’s will.  And the Father is holy and faithful.  We will never be ashamed if we endure patiently and joyfully!  In the end our pain fills up the suffering of Christ.  But it can never match the forsaking by His God!

·         22:5-8: On the cross He was a worm and no man, despised and reproached mercilessly by those who passed by and those who hung on either side.

·         22: 9-11: From birth He had known and anticipated this agony.  It was “His Father’s business”, the “things of God” for Him.

·         22:12-13: The powers that existed rejoiced in His demise, especially the Roaring Lion himself as he struck the heel of the Son of God.

·         22:14-15: His soul overwhelmed Him.  The despair was unimaginable as He came into the powerful, true experience of death.  In crucifixion His bones were stretched out of their joints; strength vanished.

·         22:16-18:  The dogs, legalists, the constant antagonists in His ministry, were gathered against Him.  The somewhat ignorant soldiers treated Him with utmost disdain, gambling for His garments.

·         22:19-21a:  Yet He prayed.  Still He placed His soul in the hands of His God.  “Into Thy hands I commit My spirit.”

And then He could say, YOU HAVE ANSWERED ME!  Finally, eventually, ultimately the Silent One thundered from an empty tomb!  The full identity with death became the crushing defeat of death.  There would be something to talk about (v22).  There would be reason to praise (v23).  Though silent, though forsaking, His God would show His face (v24).  Gospel praise would emanate from the Risen Lord so that every tribe, nation, language and people would join in praise and service for generations to come.  It will be preached that HE, the Son and His God has done this!

Meditate on the magnificent love of God!  Recognize your pit of despair, the pit from which you have come!  Do not deny your hopeless situation.  Know that full atonement has been made.  You will never be ashamed as you trust in, believe on, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Hallelujah!

oDay 36, Read Ac. 20:1-16. 20:2: "encouraged them with many words."

People today, as ever, want shorter sermons.  Fewer words.  We are told attention spans are shorter.  People can't handle it.  But "lengthy" (by our standards) and meaty sermons have been the rule in times of renewal.  Having said that, and seeing that Paul used many words (v7,11), let us not forget that the many words were given in a context of emotional connection.  Both in v1 and v37-38 we see Paul physically embracing those he ministered to.  This indicates a true friendship with them.  Let us not think that our "many words" are effective by their great homiletics.  That wears thin after a couple of years in a church or relationship.  The many words must properly present The Word!

oDay 35, Read Ac. 19:23-41. 19:25: "we have our prosperity."

Here we see the gospel's impact against sinful economics.  There is no other reason for the uproar but money.  Most of the people did not understand what was happening (v32).  There was no just or legal reason (v40).  It is no different today.  When God's Word challenges your spending practices you can do all manner of explaining and justifying and rationalizing.  But the fact is: it is all going to burn.  The world's economy will crash and the men of this world will be devastated (Rev. 18:17-19).  But the saints will rejoice (Rev. 18:20).  Let us not side with the world but with our Lord at all times, even with our money.