Wednesday, 16 September 2020 Acts 14:1-28
We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. –Acts 14:15[NLT]
In their missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the gospel boldly wherever they went. We have an account of it being preached in places in the Asia Minor and its reception by different kinds of people. In spite of the opposition they faced, the Word of the Lord prevailed and many came to faith in the living God.
From time immemorial, man has known the truth about God as it is apparent to him in multiple ways. Yet many willfully choose to reject the Living God and rebel against Him, plunging themselves into worship of beings and things, their mind has imagined or else as the modern man does—a worship of the self! Man fails to realize that the eternal principles God has established and the eternal truths in His Word will stand the test of time; there will be a day of reckoning when he will face the Judge of the Universe! Our key verse is an exhortation given by Paul to those who tried to deify them, instead pointing them to the living God to whom they were to offer their worship.
Three distinct attributes of God can be glimpsed through our reading today that point us to His greatness and goodness.
God’s Power: (Acts 14:3- And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders)- The visible power of God was seen in the miraculous signs and wonders done by these apostles-there is the mention of the lame man healed and walking(Acts 14:8). God’s power is available for us in every situation- but we need to put our faith in Him! Eph.3:20 says: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”
God’s Provision: (Acts 14:17- Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.)The very basics of our existence on the earth- the air we breathe, the sunshine and the seasons— all are His gifts to all alike. Many take it for granted and misuse the resources He has equally given. Jesus reiterated in Matt.5:45 He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. How grateful we need to be for His provisions!
God’s Protection: (Acts 14:19-20- “…they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city.) In the midst of the persecution that Paul and Barnabas faced, the Lord protected their life. In all the hardships and difficulties that life brings us, how often we have experienced the Lord’s hand of protection over our lives! It was spoken of God’s protection over His chosen people: “He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye…” (Deut.32:10). Thank Him for His care and protection over our life today in the current scenario we are in!
Dear friend, have you acknowledged the Living God to be Master over your life? If not, the message Paul spoke to those people is relevant even today: turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them… He points you to your Saviour- His Son-Christ Jesus in whom you will have life and life in its full purpose- not just for the here and now but lasting to eternity. Of Christ its written in John 1:4[TLB]: “Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind.” Would you receive it?
PROMISE: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name…” John 1:12 NASB