Wednesday, July 21st
Read: Acts 26
Paul asks us, “Why does it seem so incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?” Good question. Unfortunately, it’s true for the majority of believers today. We are often caught remarking either mentally or aloud as Festus did, “Too much study has made you crazy!” (v.24) But things SHOULD be on the flip side. As Paul asserted, so should we: “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. I am speaking the sober truth.” (v.25)
BUT…First we need to sort out our identity crisis. Are we truly firm believers with Paul, or are we on the fringes of legalistic religion with Festus and Agrippa? Too often, we’ve allowed Satan to feed us thoughts and we receive them without even thinking. Too much of this has led us to a place where we are shocked when God raises someone from the dead or answers our prayers in abundance. Now, I don’t mean to say that God is not incredible. He most certainly is. Yahweh is MOST HIGH (see Psalms 7:17) and there is no one like Him (see Exodus 8:10). Indeed, our awe and wonder should provoke us to praise, but not to be surprised.
Scripture tells us that “we have not because we ask not” (James 4:2). The question is, then, why don’t we ask? Because our faith is weak and we doubt God. Satan takes the truths we’re taught in Bible Study, at camp, in church…and twists them around until all we’re left with is confusion and complacency. Friends, this should not be. It should not be surprising to any of us that God can raise someone from the dead. It’s in His character!
Check out Ezekiel 37 where it tells of how he raised a whole army! Just because it doesn’t happen frequently doesn’t mean God can’t do it. Usually, we don’t ask and that’s because we’re not expecting, watching, or waiting for the Lord. How do we fix this? We need Jesus. We need God to reveal more of Him to us so we can know Him and expect Him to show up. Let’s face it, if Jesus isn’t with us, what’s the point?
Get to know the Lord. Ask Him to tell you about Himself and show you some of His characteristics. Let’s partner with God to minimize the shock factor and heighten the expectancy. As He reveals Himself, praise Him for His awesomeness!
“Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 8:33-35) Expect the Lord to show up in your life. Train your heart and mind to ask Him as often as you can to show you His glory. Expect that He’s with you always and live like you believe it.
Process:
1. Do you have faith to believe in the miraculous? Do you truly know the character of God? Study him! You won’t be surprised, then, when he does the incredible and shows his revolutionary power.
2. Do you have faith that God will show up when you ask him to? Have you ever asked God to show you his glory? In what ways has he?
CHALLENGE
Discuss Paul’s testimony. By now we’ve heard it several times. What sticks out to you? Does King Agrippa hear the gospel in this testimony?