Have you ever been trying to accomplish a difficult task and things seem to just go badly? You find yourself wondering if you are doing it right or if you should be doing it at all. At those times I have found great encouragement when someone who has been there before comes in and encourages me and reassures me that I am indeed on the right path.
One example I can immediately relate this to involves homeschooling my children. My wife has taken on this significant commitment and is doing well. I see much value in this approach to create a godly homeschool environment. When we first started there were days when it was difficult, and we were not sure if that was expected or if we were doing something wrong. What an encouragement to link up with more seasoned homeschool families who could tell us that was a normal difficulty, especially when first getting started. We were greatly encouraged to continue the journey.
How gracious our Lord, Jesus Christ who does the same for us in our lives through the written scriptures, through prayer, and sometimes through direct encouragement as He did for Paul in Acts 23.
Paul before the Council
1Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” 2The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” 4But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 5And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.’”
6But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.
11But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”
Paul was on trial and clearly experiencing difficult times. Paul was used to it, yes, but that does not mean it was easy for him. After a harsh encounter with the religious leaders in Jerusalem, Jesus came by his side to encourage him and give him guidance for the path forward. This really impresses me as Paul came to Jerusalem knowing he would be persecuted for Christ! Now Jesus reaffirms that he was right to come to Jerusalem and likewise must now proceed to Rome.
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, thank You for those times when You encourage me or send someone else to encourage me. I appreciate that very much. Help guide me and lead me to encourage others as well. Help Your people be a light and support to one another. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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