DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 21 June 2025: Truth on Trial
Text: Acts 25:22-27 (KJV)
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
KEY VERSE: “But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.” – (Acts 25:25).
Amanda Knox, an American student studying abroad in Italy, was accused of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher, in 2007. The case attracted massive media attention and public interest, with many in Italy and around the world convinced of her guilt. Knox was initially convicted, but after a lengthy appeals process that included numerous legal twists and the revelation of major flaws in the prosecution’s case and forensic evidence, she was acquitted by Italy’s highest court in 2015. Her acquittal came despite significant pressure and opposition from Italian prosecutors and much of the public.
For his fervency and pungency in the dissemination of the gospel of truth, Apostle Paul frequently stirred the hornets’ nest. The religious and political gatekeepers of his day would often find trumped-up charges against him, in their desperate bid to condemn him, as they did in the day of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, our God, who anointed and commissioned him for service, never failed to deliver him from his enemies.
Some of the charges brought against Apostle Paul were laughable. Ranging from being an anarchist, leading a set of armed Nazarenes against the imperialist colonial administration of the Roman emperor, to bringing foreigners and thugs into the hallowed temple to desecrate it. Unconvinced, both Felix and Festus, Roman Procurators refused to hand him over to the Jews but extradited him to Rome when he appealed to Caesar Augustus. They knew he was innocent, and would have released him if he had not appealed to Caesar. This was said by King Agrippa, who later became involved in the case and found Paul innocent (Acts 26:32).
Jesus has already forewarned us, “…In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world… The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 16:33; John 15:20). Therefore, believers should never feel sad, discouraged, or abandoned when faced with bitter criticisms, false accusations, or public reproach, provided they are on the path of righteousness. Instead, we should boldly endure afflictions of all sorts, brave the bitter accusations in the line of our service of the Master, knowing that truth will not be subdued for long.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Those who stand on the truth and exude righteousness can survive any storm.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 3-4
Daily Manna 21 June 2025
