Urgent Matters

 

 

“Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man.” - Matthew Henry

 

Read:  Numbers 2:34 and Acts 24

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

 

S:  I [Paul] do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.  Acts 24:14b-15

 

For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation.  II Corinthians 6:2

 

O:  Do you ever feel like it takes a long time for God to answer your prayers?  Paul was imprisoned (this time) going on TWO YEARS (see verse 27).  But again, it was prison that was actually preserving his life from those who sought to kill him.  As we get into Acts 25 tomorrow we will see that there were those who just would not let this thing go!  They were still plotting against Paul.  I love that those in charge gave Paul quite a bit of freedom while in prison (verse 23, 25).  Paul even got to minister to Felix and his wife and discuss matters of the gospel.  What was Felix’s response?

 

“A prospect of the judgment to come, is enough to make the stoutest heart to tremble. Felix trembled, but that was all. Many are startled by the word of God, who are not changed by it. Many fear the consequences of sin, yet continue in the love and practice of sin. In the affairs of our souls, delays are dangerous. Felix put off this matter to a more convenient season, but we do not find that the more convenient season ever came.  Is there any business more urgent than for us to reform our conduct, or more important than the salvation of our soul?” – Matthew Henry

 

A:  To respond to the LORD with urgency and not delay, whether it is in my own life to not put off what I could do today in response to the LORD or in sharing with others that TODAY is the day of salvation!

 

P:  Dear Jesus, thank you for your salvation.  Please help us all to have a sense of urgency and to minister to others the truth of Your Word as we are given opportunity.  Thank You LORD for the hope You give us and for the promise of resurrection to new life with You when You return.  Through Christ our Savior I pray.  Amen & Amen.

 

Behold now is the accepted time; hear the voice of the Lord today. – Matthew Henry