Daily Manna 28 June
KEY VERSE: “And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” – (Acts 26:24,25).
TEXT: Acts 26:13-29
13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified[c] by faith in Me.’
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not [d]mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
Historical sources say that William Carey was one of God’s giants in the history of evangelism. A shoemaker by trade, he later became a scholar, linguist and missionary par excellence by God’s training. A critic once told him “Sit down young man! When God purposes to save the heathen, He will do it without your help!” Yes, God could do that without Carey’s help, but He did not but chose him despite his inadequacies.
Carey had a love for Christ and deep compassion for the unsaved in distant lands. He went on to become one of the greatest missionaries to India. From the text, Paul the apostle had been given a chance to declare the gospel and defend his vision before King Agrippa and Festus, the Roman governor. After giving a persuasive and Spirit’s inspired message, Festus blurted: “thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad!”
Paul’s speech came with sober vehemence that the king had to make a sincere confession because he was being touched by the fire of God’s word. Paul, like Prophet Jeremiah, carried fire in his bones. How can a man hide the flames of God’s fiery sword in his bosom or business when his soul is actually set ablaze? Men of vision draw their strength from a higher and greater source.
Though critics and mockers may stop at nothing in their bid to discredit the gospel of Christ or to hinder the vision bearers, no one can break a man who draws his strength from God. Paul did not allow his critics or seeming sympathizers to deter him or his life’s calling. He continued to the end; and so must we.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Declare the Word and it shall stand.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 17-18
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Declaring Vision – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 28 June 2021
