READING: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 60; Acts 23
Honestly, it’s sometimes hard to figure out why people act with so much venom and evil. We read of tyrants who ravage their own people for their personal gain. We learn of atrocities in war that are almost unbelievable. And, we’ve seen religious people, too, stand up wrongly for whatever lie they were believing.
In today’s New Testament reading is a plot to kill Paul – a large group of Jews conspiring to end the ministry and life of the apostle. Indeed, they were so committed to their goal that they said they wouldn’t eat or drink until Paul was dead. Three times, this chapter refers to that fasting level of commitment to do wrong. The wording of this chapter even suggests that Paul’s enemies were willing to be accursed if they did not succeed in killing him. They had numbers (more than 40 of them), fervor, jealousy, anger, self-righteousness, and stealth—a combined recipe for evil.
Paul’s life rested in God’s hands, however, and no one could take it from him while God still had work for him to do. Even wicked people could not ultimately thwart God’s plan. You and I can serve God with that confidence.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You that our lives are in Your care.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Chronicles 14-16; Acts 24
