Thursday 29 Nov 2012

Thursday Reading: Acts 19:8-12

Key Verse: Acts 19:9
9  But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

Devotion:
It is one thing to listen to God and to obey Him and live by His ways, but it is another thing entirely to be able to go forward and tell others about our Lord and Saviour. When we are encouraged by all that God has done for us and all that we see Him do for others we want to be able to share those experiences with others and allow them to be happy in Christ as well. But as the apostle found out, not everyone is going to want to listen to what we have to say. Indeed there are going to be people who will argue every point we try to make and people who will curse us and even people who will go as far as cursing God in their unbelief.

In these cases we do have to draw the line somewhere because it is hard to continue on in God’s direction when we have such a heavy load as this bearing down upon us. It may even be better to separate ourselves from such people so that we can continue on in God’s will… Is this a form of giving up or giving in? Is this a form of running away from issues? These are the doubts that Satan is trying to plant in our heads by using those unbelievers whom he has got a firm grip on to try and trip us up. We have tried to switch the light on in their lives but they have refused God, refused that light, refused the truth. Yes it is a shame to turn our back on them, but just as God has to punish the unrepentant sinner, we too have to stop at some stage.

I like to think that I continue on when others are failing but it is those times when the going gets tough when I find myself relying more and more on God for some tiny bit of strength just to be able to pick myself up again. It is at those times when God wants us to realise that we have limits and we should not push them too far because it may be us that breaks instead of the unbeliever.

Take time to pray about your decisions. Take time to just be with God and let Him build up your inner strength. Take time to spend in His Word so that you will be ready for the next battle. We may lose a fight now and again, but God has already won the war! It may wear us down to lose a battle, but winning the next one will give us even more strength.

Points to Ponder:
How often do you feel rejected?

How often do you think God is rejected?