The Bible reading plan comes from here. I am using the Matthew Henry Commentary alongside my Bible (NIV). You can find my Day 1 Reflections here, Day 2 here, Day 3 here.
Day 4: Acts 26- Paul Tells His Life Story
As I have realized that sharing your testimony is a powerful part of sharing your faith, this story has become one of my favorites. However, one thing that I think I misunderstand while reading the Bible, or really any historical story, is the severity of the moment. When we read Paul's testimony, we read that while he was not a Christian, he persecuted them. Then he encountered Christ while he was traveling, and his life turned around; He began to profess truth in Christ. But Paul was not just non-Christian, he thought he was doing the right thing by persecuting Christians.
Historical Side-note I Learned:
King Aggripa was the son of Herod who killed James the apostle, and grandson of Herod the Great, under whom Christ was born (p. 1738). He was a proselyte to the Jewish religion, understood all matters relating to it better than the other Roman governors did (p. 1739). A proselyte is a person who has changed religious beliefs. So it was important for King Aggripa to listen to Paul and not just pass Paul along because he would understand Paul's testimony better than anyone else.
Paul believed that "he did God good service in persecuting those who called on the name of Jesus Christ. It is possible for those to be confident they are in the right who yet are evidently in the wrong... He was very officious [objectionably aggressive] to vote the putting of Christians to death. ... All imaginable external objections lay against his being a Christian" (p. 1740). It would be incomprehensible for Paul to have become a Christian. Paul was without-a-doubt, unimaginably, non-Christian. Now knowing the severity of Paul's situation, why is he now a Christian? My commentary says, "He did not reason himself into Christianity, but was brought into the highest degree of an assurance of it, immediately from the highest degree of prejudice against it. ... Paul thought Jesus was buried in the earth, and, though stolen out of his own sepulchre, yet laid in some other. All the Jews were taught to say so, and therefore he is amazed to hear him speak from heaven, to see him surrounded with all this glory. This convinced him that the doctrines of Jesus were divine and heavenly, and not to be opposed, but to be cordially embraced; and this is enough to make him a Christian immediately" (p. 1740). Upon seeing Christ, all of Paul's knowledge and understanding of Jesus was flipped upside down. "His conversion in such a miraculous way was not only to himself, but to others also, a convincing proof of the truth of Christianity" (p. 1740).
Day 5: Acts 27- Shipwreck on the Way to Rome
I have to admit: I am writing this post several days after I had read this section. I no longer remember what I thought was important. But I have to remind myself that through writing this series of posts, I am not trying to teach anyone, but merely recording my thoughts. I always find that I learn best be reading and then writing about the topic, whether it is summarizing or picking out key points. So please don't read my posts to try and learn about Paul; read the Bible. Read my posts as a discussion with me. As I read my commentary, there were a few statements that got my attention, and these are what I am going to write about.
In reference to verses 12-20: "See what the wealth of this world is; the time may come when it will be a burden, not only too heavy to be carried safe of itself, but heavy enough to sink him that has it. ... Any man will rather make shipwreck of his goods than of his life, but many will rather make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience than of their goods" (p. 1745). I'm left a little speechless after reading these sentences because I realize how true it is of me. My actions while reading this series on Paul's life is the perfect example. I was planning on reading one day and writing the next; this hasn't happened, and I've made many excuses. In doing so, I've shipwrecked my faith over my goods. By spending time with people, even virtually via facebook and instagram, I've taken away time I could have been spending with God.
In reference to verses 21-44: "No storms nor tempests can hinder the communications of God's favour to his people, for he is a very present help" (p. 1745). This is probably one of my favorite things about God: no matter what I do or where I am at in life, God is always there for me. He will always hold to His promises. He will always love us (read a little about what I think about God's love for us here.) This is a huge comfort. Paul was told by an angel that his life and the lives of those with him would be spared (vs. 24). While on the boat, they were probably thinking that they were going to die. But nonetheless, verse 44 says, "The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely," God never promised anything about the boat arriving safely. God keeps his promises, just not in the expected way.
I was talking with a pastor not so long ago about preaching at funerals. Your grandfather was wise about it - he told me to remember to always speak to the living. The dead have no ears and cannot change; the living you have in front of you need to hear your words and need the gospel. This may truly be the one time they are willing to listen. Telling our own stories of our walk is compelling for others to see what God has led you through and here you are, at a new point, still playing follow the leader with God. Look to your aunts and uncles - Walt and Carol have had some hazardous walks, not retired from the field of play, and still are following God's lead through World Renew work. Rich and Elsa have walked a health risked life since Rich had his first heart attack at 39. To be honest, that Saturday to celebrate 50 years was an event I did not think we would have with them. Immense blessings. The rest of us have had our own journeys about which we can testify to God's protection, his grace and surprising outcomes. Krystal's birthday and death anniversary are both in June, so this tends to be a very painful month, and yet at the end of this week, Dan and I get to celebrate 42 years of God's grace. Sometimes people look at my life and comment that it is filled so many losses and hard times. I cannot say that I disagree. God has listened to my wailing more than once- okay a lot more than once - The grace comes in that I know he wants what is best for my spiritual good. He wants this child of his in heaven with him. He also wants me to use these things and make a difference in my corner. So, I am trying. Love you dear niece.
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