A More Convenient Time

Monday   10-26-15  Home in Modesto

Scripture reading:    Job 17     Acts 24-26

S=Scripture O=Observation A=Application P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Acts 24:22  Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, "Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.

Vs 24-25  A few days later Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.  As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified. "Go away for now," he replied. "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again."  NLT

O.  Two Observations: I failed to notice in yesterday’s devotional that the unnamed Roman Commander that I “liked” actually signed his name to the letter he sent to Governor Felix.  The Commander’s name was Claudius Lysias.  The fact that we have his name probably brings him from a status of “secondary drama player” to a “primary player”.  Felix now defers his judgment on Paul’s case until he brings Commander Lysias from Jerusalem to hear his side of the story.  We have no record that Claudius Lysias was ever subpoenaed by the governor... and Paul was kept in prison for another two years. 

Secondly, this governor, Felix, was well acquainted with “The Way.”  He knew of Jesus’ crucifixion and death and the claim of His resurrection.  So now he brings Drusilla, his pretty Jewish wife, to work one day and calls Paul out of prison to hear him preach to them.  But Paul has a secret weapon called the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  And when Paul gets to the “altar call”... Governor Felix is squirming, trembling and terrified in his soul.  “Guards!  Take this man back to his prison cell!  I’ll call for him at a more convenient moment.”  The fact is that Governor Felix and his wife, Drusilla just missed their most convenient moment to surrender to the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

A.  That fact brings me to tears... because I have seen it reenacted by hungry souls many times over.  At the moment of decision, pressured by Holy Spirit conviction... vacillating... they have turned back.  They have postponed it to a “more convenient time”... and may pay an eternal price for that lack of courage to make a commitment to what they know is truth.

P.  Oh God, please never let me miss one of Your special, Holy Spirit designed, moments.  May I never send You away when You have me trembling in Your presence!  Help me to surrender it all at Your feet... again and again... whenever Your voice is speaking to my hungry heart.  Amen.

Ralph