DCLM Daily Manna 2024: DCLM Daily Manna 22 November 2024: Utilising Information Wisely
Text: Acts 25:1-5 (KJV)
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
KEY VERSE: Acts 25:5
“Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.”
After he became saved, Apostle Paul started his ministry as a fiery preacher of the gospel of Christ. God quickly engaged him and gave him an unusual utterance that resulted in the conversion of many souls in a short space of time. He soon earned multiple enemies from many quarters. The religious people of his day – the High Priests, the Scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees, as well as a group of Jews from Asia – were fervently opposed to Paul’s teachings and perceived him as a threat to their religious beliefs.
The same groups stirred up persecution against Paul. Realising their false accusations against him did not achieve the expected results, they plotted to murder him. Therefore, many volunteers emerged, “…more than forty which…banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul”. Unknown to them, their evil plot had been revealed to the Roman authorities.
This classified information was wisely utilised by Claudius Lysias, the Roman commander who ensured the safe translocation of Paul to Caesarea by night. In turn, Felix, who had recently taken over from Festus as the Governor of Judea, also applied the same confidential information and turned down the request of the Jews to bring Paul to Jerusalem; instead, he left for Caesarea to handle the trial of Paul.
Divulging classified information entrusted in your care amounts to a breach of trust. It could also mean working against God’s will. Also, not acting on privileged information, including those that could save lives are contrary to divine designs. Always remember that you shall account for all the resources that God has sent your way in this life.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Keeping confidence is a mark of Christian integrity.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 22-23
Daily Manna 22 November 2024
