Today’s Reading: Numbers 5; Numbers 6; Psalm 22; Acts 26
Scripture: Acts 26:17-18
17 "'I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'"
Observation: Paul, giving his defense before King Agrippa, Bernice, and Festus, describes the call of Christ upon his life. These are the words that Jesus spoke to Paul in those first moments of his encounter with Paul. I notice a progression in these verses. First is the sending. God chooses people and sends them with his message and his power. Without those who are sent, who would bring the message? Next we see that there is the need to "open their eyes". This speaks of the removal of the blindness that prevents people from seeing God and if they cannot see, they cannot believe. Third we see the turning. This is the concept of repentance -- positive change of direction. They turn from darkness to light. So not only are these people blind, but they are also in darkness, which would render them helpless even if they were not blind. So it is a kind of double whammy of being cursed, completely disabled from any chance of finding our way without God's intervention. Also, I find it interesting to note that Paul himself was struck with blindness and had to have someone come and pray for him to have his sight restored. They also turn from the power of Satan to God. This is a freeing from destructive forces to constructive forces -- from the clutches of evil and death into the grip of goodness and life. In this turning we see the first actual direct encounter with God and his power. What a blessing to come into contact with God and his loving kindness after being set free from the deadly and destructive entrapments of sin and Satan. The upshot of all this is receiving of the forgiveness from our sins and being adopted into the family of God, being given a place along with all the others who have believed in him and received his goodness and his mercy.
Application: What a wonderful call this is. The exciting thing to me is that this call is not just for Paul. It is for every believer. We are privileged to be a part of those who proclaim in Jesus the goodness and mercy of God to the world.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for this superb and wonderful and amazing call that you have placed on our lives. To have the honor of sharing your goodness with the world around us who is in such desperate need of hope and light is a true gift. I pray that we will take this gift and share it with joy and effectiveness and that many will come to know your goodness and your salvation through our lives. May we shine with your brightness as we proclaim your light to the world.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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