THE LORD SPOKE (April 24)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Samuel 14

Jonathan was a leader touched by God. His inspiring words, "nothing can hinder the Lord from saving whether by many or by few" (vs. 6) helped to check the downward spiral of Saul's leadership. When a leader demonstrates his trust in God like that, notice what the people's response will be (vs. 7). It happened with Joshua against the Canaanites (Josh. 10), with Gideon against the Midianites (Jud. 6), with Jehoshaphat against the Moabites and Ammonites (II Chron. 20), and with many others who trusted the Lord (Heb. 11:32-34).

Notice though the uncertainty involved in following God. Joshua looked for a sure signal from the Lord that what he was doing was right (vs. 10). He was determined to press on only if he was sure it was the Lord's leading. Notice again the follower relationship that flows from that kind of leadership (vs. 14).

One more thing: compare Jonathan's "ministry goal" (vs. 6) with Saul's (vs. 24 - "before I have avenged myself ") and you'll see why they obtained such different results: Jonathan (vs. 13) - "the Philistines fell before Jonathan"; Saul (vs. 37) - "but God didn't answer him".

God is bigger than any human leader and, ultimately, He will have His way. In spite of Saul's failures, God delivered the people through him (vs. 46-48). Aren't you glad we serve such a great God?


New Testament: Acts 25

Three chapters; three trials. Each one quite different. Felix (Acts 24) was looking for a bribe and concerned not to offend the Jews. Festus (Acts 25) was the kind that liked to get things crossed off his lists, run a tidy court, and clear up unfinished business. Agrippa (Acts 26) was more philosophical in his interests, liked to get to the bottom of a matter, and weighed the issues.

The charge sheet had some things listed on it but it was anything by tidy. Festus wanted to clean it up before sending it to a higher court. It would reflect badly on him if the case wasn’t more clearly stated. He had four main points but none of them would stick and he knew it. Paul responded to all four (Acts 25:8,10):

1. I have done nothing wrong against the Law of the Jews
2. I have done nothing wrong against the Temple.
3. I have done nothing wrong against Caesar.
4. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews themselves.

If he hadn’t appealed to Caesar, Festus would have had no choice but to throw the whole case out of court. The suggestion to move the venue to Jewish Jerusalem held promise but higher courts don’t bounce things down to lower courts and besides, Paul saw quickly through that tactic. It would be a lynching trial there. Agrippa’s visit provided a welcome opportunity to shift the responsibility. Now, if he could just come up with some appropriate wording for the charge sheet....

Festus was really getting nervous by the end of the trial. He tried to silence what appeared to be contempt of court on the part of Paul (Acts 26:24). When the judges returned to their chambers (Acts 26:30-31) the feeling must have been, “Just who is on trial here?” They were feeling conviction themselves. Paul’s words, under the Holy Spirit’s direction, brought them to weigh guilt - their own!

It really does boil down to one ultimate question, “Do you believe?”