June 7, 2010
Acts 23
Pastor Jeff Allen
Have you ever had a bad day that left you reeling? One day you’re living life to the fullest, and the next you find yourself in what my wife and I like to call “the pit of despair”. One day you get your tax return and there’s great celebration, then the next day you find your air conditioning is broken, a car needs tires, your child needs to go to the doctor, you don’t have your favorite comfort food in the pantry and you suddenly have the urge to crawl in bed with your childhood blanket and hide. Okay…maybe the last part was an exaggeration but nonetheless, I’m sure you’ve experienced it as I have.
In Acts 23, we read about Paul, who stood before the High Priest and High Council and heard a battery of accusations being hurled at him. Paul’s accusers were the Jewish leaders of the first century church, who held great authority and passion for their beliefs. There was a time when Paul stood with men like these as an ally. In this moment, he tried reasoning with them. He tried speaking the truth of what happened to change his life. Finally, he tried to identify himself as one of them. Yet, in all of it there was a group of these men that formed a plot to kill him. Talk about a bad day…
In Acts 23:11, it is recorded that God gave Paul a motivational shot in the arm. His words were simple and to the point. First, He told Paul to “be encouraged…” In other words, it was going to be okay. Calm down, collect yourself and though you may be afraid, don’t crawl under a rock and die. Stand up and face the moment with courage, because I’m with you. Secondly, God told Paul that he “…must preach the Good News in Rome.” He was saying that Paul was not going to die, because He had plans for Paul’s future.
So when you have a tough day, remember this: be encouraged, because God is with you and He has plans for your future. It’s all going to be okay.
Did you know? Pastor Jeff’s favorite places are Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado and Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
