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Millard Kinnison on November 21, 2023

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Unstoppable! 'False Accusations That Can't Be Proved' — Acts 25:6-7

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

About eight or ten days [after Festus met with the leading priests and other leaders in Jerusalem, he] returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn't prove.

— Acts 25:6-7 NLT

Key Thought

Because Festus had not granted the Jewish leaders' request for Paul to be sent to Jerusalem, the plan to ambush him on the way there was thwarted. In a proper legal proceeding, Paul answered his accusers and shared the truth about his original rescue by Roman soldiers that led to his imprisonment. The bottom line on all the schemes, shenanigans, and manipulations attempted by Paul's adversaries was straightforward: They couldn't prove their charges because they were untrue. Paul was both protected by the Roman justice system and also unfairly jailed and held overtime. Paul's situation is a reminder to us of three realities:*

Our hero, Jesus, suffered unjustly and was abused and crucified. As his followers, we shouldn't be surprised that we have to endure difficulties, hardship, persecution, and possibly even martyrdom. Most of Jesus' original apostles seem to have shared their Lord's fate as martyrs.

God can use our hardships to accomplish his will, bless others, and lead others to Christ if we are willing to be his people regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

If we suffer hardship or mistreatment as followers of Jesus, it should be because we have done what is right, not what is wrong, hurtful, or evil. God uses unjust suffering to change lives of others and reach their hearts with his grace.

* See our Related Scripture Readings for the points made in the devotional Thought.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Father, give your people — including me — strength and courage to be gracious and faithful as we confront the situations we face each day. I see the example of Paul and his ministry's effectiveness while he endured unjust imprisonment and repeated delays, and I am both convicted and inspired. I am convicted of my own self-centeredness and softness. I am emboldened and encouraged to see how you used Paul's imprisonment time to be a time of flourishing ministry. Steel my courage, Lord. Stir my passion, dear Holy Spirit. Use me, Lord Jesus, to share your grace. Thank you for the heritage of faith I have received from those who have faithfully served you in the past, dear Father. Amen.