DCLM Daily Manna 28 June 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Declaring The Vision
TOPIC: Declaring The Vision
TEXT: Acts 26:13-29
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
KEY VERSE: “And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” – (Acts 26:24,25)
MESSAGE:
Historical sources say that William Carey was one of God’s giants in the history of evangelism. A shoemaker by trade, he later became a scholar, linguist and missionary par excellence by God’s training. A critic once told him “Sit down young man! When God purposes to save the heathen, He will do it without your help!” Yes, God could do that without Carey’s help, but He did not, but chose him despite his inadequacies. Carey had love for Christ and a deep compassion for the unsaved in distant lands. He went on to become one of the greatest missionaries to India.
From the text, Paul the apostle had been given a chance to declare the gospel and defend his vision before King Agrippa and Festus, the Roman governor. After giving a persuasive and Spirit’s inspired message, Festus blurted: “thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad!” Paul’s speech came with sober vehemence that the king had to make a sincere confession because he was being touched by the fire of God’s word. Paul, like Prophet Jeremiah carried fire in his bones. How can a man hide the flames of God’s fiery word in his bosom or business when his soul is actually set ablaze?
Men of vision draw their strength from a higher and greater source. Though critics and mockers may stop at nothing in their bid to discredit the gospel of Christ or to hinder the vision bearers, no one can break a man who draws his strength from God.
Paul did not allow his critics or seeming sympathizers to deter him or his life’s calling. He continued to the end; and so must we.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Declare the Word and it shall stand.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 17-18
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
