27 September 2018 – Acts 28:25-28 (NIV)
Scripture
25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Reflection
That is a hard word to hear certainly, but how much more difficult was it to be the one to have to share those words! You gotta give evangelists and people who share Jesus with people credit; they sure can take one on the chin! To be able to share the good news and have someone reject it right away can be discouraging and even knock you down. But you have to keep sowing the seeds; it’s really all we can do. However, it is also by the hard work of these people who have shared the good news, been rejected, but still persist in the good work that you and I have this relationship with Jesus Christ and know the true goodness of this word of salvation. Thank the Lord for these champions of the faith! (Josh).
Thoughts for the day
- Who in your circle of influence need to hear the Good News?
- How do you react to people when they reject the Good News? Do you persist or do you give up?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- What is one way you can apply this truth to your life today?
- Who can you encourage with this story/message?
Prayer
Lift up an unanswered prayer to God and ask for a renewed sense of his patience and strength.