You are God’s Chosen Instrument

Saturday 2-18-17, Modesto, California

Today we read Num 3 – 4 and Acts 25

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

S. Acts 25:22-23 "I'd like to hear the man myself," Agrippa said. And Festus replied, "You shall — tomorrow!" So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. NLT

O. Governor Festus has succeeded Felix and immediately the Jewish leaders hound him about Paul, still wanting him killed after two years in Felix’s prison. Festus asks Paul if he is willing to go for a hearing to Jerusalem as the Jewish leaders insist. Paul refuses. He knows that they will be lying in wait to murder him. Since he sees that he can get no justice from this lower court, he appeals to the Roman Emperor Caesar, himself.  King Agrippa comes to town to welcome Festus and wants to hear Paul’s case personally.

Here they come, King Herod Agrippa II and the new Governor Festus with “great pomp” along with a huge entourage of all the elite… coming to hear the words of a prisoner named Paul. The word for “pomp” here in Greek is “fantasias”. These are the cream of society who live in a fantasy world. But they are voluntarily coming to hear Paul preach about Jesus Christ. Go for it, Brother Paul!

A. Does God care about people in high places? Is He concerned with their lost souls? A humble Christian named Ananias of Damascus had heard the voice of the Lord the day of Paul’s conversion, “For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.  And I will show him how much he must suffer for me." (Acts 9:15-16) NLT Yes, God cares about those who live in the “fantasy world” and later even took Paul to preach to the emperor himself… the king of the entire known world at that time.  Should I tremble when God gives me a chance to share His message of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, His mercy and love… when He places me before the “fantasy” affluent?

P. Dear Father, Who sits high above all people of high rank, give me a heart to see the elite in their fantasy world as lost. Yes. they can be as lost as that drunkard lying there in the gutter. Their fantasy world will crumble to dust very soon as they approach their last days on earth. May I never forget that I, too, am Your “chosen instrument”… chosen to boldly proclaim Your message to any and all, when given a chance.  Amen.

Ralph