Cues

Daily Reading: Acts 25

Scripture Focus: I would like to hear the man myself. (Acts 25.22)

Devotional Thought: Paul certainly went through a lot of trials – legal as well as personal – didn’t he?  In today’s chapter, Acts 25, we read about two more of them: one before Festus, the Roman governor and one before Agrippa: the Roman “King” who had been given jurisdiction over that part of the empire.  His trials were not over, either.  He had yet to face Caesar’s court.

Nobody likes trials, do they?  If trials were pleasant, then they wouldn’t be trials…  And consider this: had it not been for Paul’s trials, Agrippa would never had said, “I would like to hear this man myself.”  It was his trial that gave Paul the opportunity to testify of God’s salvation.

How do you handle trials?  Do you navigate them in love and patience?  Or, do you get bitter and angry? 

Have you ever noticed that people tend to watch other people and pick up their cues from them?  In Ferguson, Missouri when a young, unarmed man was shot by a policeman, angry people invaded that community demanding justice.  In the presence of this anger, the whole community became angry.  National figures threw fuel on the fire with their inflammatory rhetoric.  When calmer voices prevailed, the situation calmed down somewhat. 

People are watching you and me.  They will pick up their cues about God from us.  When we go through trials, if we are bitter and angry, they will believe that God is bitter and angry.  If, however, they see in us faith and hope, they will believe that God can be believed and trusted.  They will want to hear more about the values that inform our lives.  May it be said about us: “I would like to hear this person myself.”

Prayer: Lord, may my life give off all the right cues - so that people will find peace, and hope, and love, and life in you.  Help me to lift up Jesus so that people will be drawn to him.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 74.18-23

18 Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name.

19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever.

20 Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.

21 Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.

22 Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!

23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually!