Daily Devotional Acts 21:37-40 – Does God use us in difficult times? – Free online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 650

As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people. And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:” (Acts 21:37-40)

The Jews were law-abiding people who believed righteousness, through sacrifice and keeping the Law, was their ticket to heaven. They didn’t think they had broken the ninth commandment telling them not to bear false witness against their neighbors because that only applied to Jerusalem Jews, people like themselves. They didn’t listen to Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan which taught a neighbor is anyone crossing our path.

Therefore, the commander believed the Jews when they said Paul had led four thousand murderers into hiding—until he questioned Paul. When Paul told him in Greek that he was a Roman citizen. I can imagine the commander was concerned that he had treated a Roman citizen unfairly and he could be punished for that offense or for letting a riot occur. God knew the commander would appease Paul and allowed the disorderly conduct.

If our lives were in danger, most of us would want someone to zip us to safety. Wouldn’t let God use us in chaos—wouldn’t tell people who sinned against us about Jesus, even though they might need Him the most. The truth is God creates circumstances to use us.

Father, I praise You for Your Holy Spirit who gives me power when my life’s a mess. Let me be like Paul and let You use me in the midst of chaos. You planned circumstances that show I’m weak so others can see me using Your strength. Keep me and my loved ones safe and bind us closer to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Daily Devotional Acts 21:37-40 – Does God use us in difficult times? – Free online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 650

10 thoughts on “Daily Devotional Acts 21:37-40 – Does God use us in difficult times? – Free online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 650

  1. I do believe that God creates circumstances to help us learn and be wiser, and to build our faith. But we can also create our own circumstances through free will. We are not puppets on strings and only God pulls our strings. If that was the case, then He would not have given us free will. Sometimes I have a hard time reconciling these two things. What did God plan for me and what did I plan for myself, or what kind of mess did I get myself into. Sometimes it is very clear who created a problem and sometimes I have to wonder how did something happen.

    1. You are so right. Sometimes God creates circumstances to help us learn and other times we get ourselves into messes. He uses every mess for our good. I am not sure we need to differentiate between His messes and ours. We should look at past problems (say over five years ago) and think about who we met and what we learned from the circumstances–maybe not wonder how something happened but why it happened.

    1. Thank you for coming to my website and for your encouragement. Isn’t it wonderful that God creates circumstances to use us in difficult situations? I prayed for you and your family today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

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    1. Thank you for coming to my website and for your encouragement. Isn’t it wonderful that God creates circumstances to use us in difficult situations? I prayed for you and your family today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thank you for coming to my website and for your encouragement. Isn’t it wonderful that God creates circumstances to use us in difficult situations? I prayed for you and your family today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thanks for your encouragement and coming to my website. I hope you know how much God loves you and that you return to study Galatians and Ephesians. Blessings, Jody

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