Disappointed
And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. Acts 21:30
Have you ever been in the middle of a misunderstanding? What about in a place of trying to do the right thing only to be misunderstood and even having those you respect speak against you in some way? It can be very disappointing and also discouraging.
I have been in this position at times in my life. One particular instance was when a co-worker was feeling some pressure from another department about a request she had given. When she was questioned about it, she put the blame on me because I was new. I didn’t make a deal about it, but I did feel betrayed by the whole situation. It really wasn’t a big deal, but I think if it ever happens again I will take that person to the side and gracefully talk about it. Not to defend myself, but to bring honesty and trust back to a relationship.
In today’s passage, Paul was actually suffering a much worse scenario. He had gone back to Jerusalem to report back to the elders of the Church. They gave him instructions on what to do to be sure that others did not have the wrong idea about him ministering to the gentile nations he had just come from. He did all the right things and made sure to follow the directions explicitly only to have a mob come against him, not even considering the steps he was following so he would not offend anyone. He actually found himself right in the middle of a riot and not only that, but his life was being threatened before he even had a chance to defend himself or explain his position.
In life we can find ourselves and predicaments that are no fault of our own, but we still have to maintain a right heart and attitude. Even when others are behaving badly, we still answer for our own response, and it is not justified based on other people’s actions. Our response is still to line up with God’s word and the Holy Spirit’s direction. As we read on in the book of Acts, we will see Paul up against greater obstacles than he ever faced before in his life. Through it all, he kept his focus on his mission and continued to encourage the churches even though he was wrongly imprisoned and taken before Ceasar. Paul did not let his outward circumstances determine his inward heat posture. He was determined to complete his assignments no matter what was happening around him.
What about you? Do you let the voices of doubt and unbelief knock you of the course you have be called to? Maybe you are not even sure if you are on the journey yet. You can decide today to answer His call and begin to step into your life plan that God has for you. Begin by inviting Him into your life and asking the Holy Spirit to be your guide in your purpose. You can do that by praying the simple prayer below and receive His great salvation to start on your path with Him. He will lead you into your life of purpose and you will feel a fulfillment that you have never had or will ever have without Him.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 21:26-40
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
31 Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”
37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek?
38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
The Daily Dose 