Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of May 16, 2021

WEEKLY READING: ACTS 26-28; PSALM 17-20
PASSAGE REFERENCED: PSALM 17-20; ISAIAH 6:9-10; 55:10-11;
ACTS 21-28; HEBREWS 12:4

This week’s devotional writer is Mark Swinger. Mark has attended WCC for many years, served as an Elder, and currently leads one of the men’s Bible studies. Because of Mark’s experience with Bible studies, you’ll find this devotional has a bit of a study flavor compared to the devotional flavor of previous weeks. As it covers each of this week’s chapters, you might consider waiting to read this until you’ve finished the week’s reading.

Acts 26-28
When we come to Acts 26, we should recall some of the events that brought Paul to this point. He had already been confronted by a murderous Jewish mob (Acts 21:7), a Roman commander named Claudius Lysias (21:37-40), the Jewish high council or Sanhedrin, including the high priest Ananias (22:30-23:2), Governor Felix (23:33), and then Felix with his Jewish wife, Drusilla (24:24). In chapter 25, Paul appealed to Caesar to save himself from the murdering Jews, then was brought before King Agrippa and his sister Bernice (25:23). King Agrippa was an expert on Jewish customs and controversies (26:3).
Try to imagine the number of Jews and Gentiles who heard Paul’s story and the Gospel, then believed in Jesus because of Paul’s testimony. Even though some didn’t agree with his beliefs, they could not refute his witness. When we tell our own story, though some might not believe it, hopefully, our lives and the changes in us will bear witness to the truth. In Isaiah 55:10-11, God declares that when He sends out His Word, it always produces what He wants. In Hebrews 12:4, we read that “the Word of God is full of living power.” Wow! What an impact His Word can have in our lives and in the lives of others. We may never know the impact even a few kind words coupled with a loving attitude might have in someone’s life. We can only imagine, as the song goes!
Some who hear us may say we’re insane, having too much “study” (Acts 26:24). Some may study just for knowledge, which isn’t totally wrong. But we grow as Christ-followers when we prayerfully study with the purpose and desire to grow ever closer and more intimate with God.

In Acts 27, God speaks to Paul, informing him about some of what lies ahead. God doesn’t include all the details. Paul will need to trust God despite all the hardships, as well as life-threatening experiences he and many others will have to endure.

In Acts 28, the most impact is in verses 26-28, as Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9-10. The very thought of God including Gentiles in His plan of salvation was diametrically opposed to the Jewish mindset, which excluded anyone who wasn’t of Jewish descent. They considered Gentiles the same way the rest of the world viewed the Jews. They were God’s chosen people, and therefore better than everyone else. Do we ever consider ourselves better than others?

Psalms 17-20
In Psalm 17, notice the worship and trust in verses 6-9.

Psalm 18 contains worship and some remarkable imagery.

Verses 1-6 of Psalm 19 tell of the evidence of God’s existence and great power. Verses 7-11 speak of God’s word and commandments. And verses 12-14 contain a well-known prayer, especially verse 14.

In Psalm 20, verses 1-5 provide a prayer for others. Verse 6 is a testimony, while verses 7-9 declare that the LORD is our real salvation, not weapons, but God’s power! That’s something to consider and believe! – Mark Swinger

• Do you have questions about this week’s Bible reading? We’d love to help! Rather than relying on the first thing you find on the internet, email us at biblequestions@warsaw.cc. We are more than happy to answer that nagging question you have, provide you with some clarity, or point you in the right direction for further study.