Today’s devotion comes from Acts 28:25-31.
“And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying,
‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,
“YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.”’
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]
And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” Acts 28:25-31.
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Despite most of the Jews’ lack of understanding and their hindrance, God provided a door of opportunity to Paul to preach and teach to the Gentiles who would listen. And, despite Paul being confined to his own rented quarters, Paul preached and taught “with all openness, unhindered.”
This is a lesson to us who feel hindered, confined, or limited in some way. We may have physical ailments. Or, we may have a family to take care of at home. We may have work outside the home, but it takes up all of our time. Or, we may not have money to travel. We may have family and friends who oppose us or are resistant or make it difficult for us.
But, there is hope for us as there was for Paul!
We do not need to do the same work as Paul. God has work for us to do for His purpose and good pleasure that He can accomplish despite all of the hindrance, confinement, and limitations. God gives us the will to do that work, and God works within us. God perfects and completes that work “unhindered“.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 