READING: 2 Samuel 9-10, 1 Chronicles 18-19, Psalm 89, Acts 26
The Word is especially convicting to me today.
The apostle Paul had shared his faith before Agrippa, who wasn’t quite ready to follow Christ at the time. “Would you persuade me so quickly to become a Christian?” he asked the apostle. Paul’s response was simple, but potent: “I wish before God that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains” (Acts 26:29).
I can just imagine Paul speaking not only to the king, but also to the crowds. “I don’t care how long it takes me to convince you . . . but I want you and everyone around me to become a Christ-follower like I am, but without these chains that bind me,” he said. He didn’t want them to be held captive, but he did want them to give themselves fully as God’s bondservants.
Here’s why this Word convicts me – I’m not sure I’m as passionately and sincerely burdened as Paul was for non-believers. Paul so desperately wanted others to know Jesus that he risked his life for the gospel. He spoke to kings and criminals, Jews and Gentiles, men and women, his wanting all of them to know Christ like he did. I want that kind of zeal, but I’m not always there.
So, I’m convicted.
PRAYER: “Father, give me this burden for all others.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 32, 51; Acts 27
