Thursday Devotional - Courageously Consistent

Have you ever been frustrated to tell the same story over and over? Have you had to tell your symptoms to the front desk person at your doctor’s office, then to the nurse and then again to the doctor? Or maybe it was a computer problem to the help desk, or instructions to a child/spouse, etc.

Paul had to tell his story over and over again. He didn’t get frustrated, though, and saw it as an opportunity to share God’s truths over and over to different people!

After Paul was seized in the temple, he spoke his defense to the crowd about meeting Jesus and told them Jesus gave him a mission to be a witness to the Gentiles (Acts 22). Then, the next day he spoke before the Sanhedrin regarding the same charges (Acts 23). As we saw last week, he was then secretly escorted to Caesarea. A few days later, his case was heard by Governor Felix. He calmly, courageously, and consistently continued to speak truth.

Acts 24:12-16           ¹² My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. ¹³ And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. ¹⁴ However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, ¹⁵ and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Paul was never ashamed of who he was, what he believed, or what God said. He consistently and courageously took opportunities to speak the truth. With whom do you and I need to be courageously consistent to speak the truth, even if it’s the same thing over and over?

Alice