Some days are definitely better than others, Father, so that being the case, I lay myself before You. Where would I be without Your mercy and grace!
Acts 18:1-17 (<<click here to read the passage)
Some time ago, I met a young man who was married to a young lady I had known as a young teen, several years before that. He did some work for us in our home, and I even got to meet a couple of their children. Unbeknownst to me, he was struggling with a drug addiction that eventually brought him to a make-or-break decision in relation to his family.
His wife was (and continues to be) a very faithful follower of Christ and was there for him all the way, but time and time again he fell back into his addiction. She vowed to stand by his side once more if he would fight against it, but in the end, he chose the drugs over his family. The love of his wife and children was not strong enough to give him reason to fight.
Paul dearly loved his people; they were literally his family. Their lineage could all be traced back to Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham. Jacob would later receive the name Israel (Genesis 32:24-32), hence the nation of Israel. Paul loved his family, he fought for his family, but to no avail. Some of his family listened and found their Messiah in Jesus, but others would not. Their addiction to self and pride and tradition and control held them back. For many, it was the easier path…at least in their hearts and minds.
Back in Acts 13:51, Paul and Barnabas, “shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection” against the rebellious Jews of Antioch of Pisidia. Then here in verse 6,
…Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” NLT
Jesus, Himself, stated in Mark 6:11,
“But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” NLT
It was a difficult decision for Paul to make. He had done all he could do but moved on at the call of God, to fields ripe unto harvest with the souls of Gentiles eager to accept the salvation extended to them.
That’s where Paul found himself, but I would share one more thought. I, for one, am grateful that God doesn’t shake the dust from Himself as a condemning statement against us. I cannot begin to count the number of times I have stumbled, the number of times I have fallen. God would have every right to shake the dust from Himself and be done with me. That is what I deserve. But time and time again, God chooses to brush the dust off of me – not in condemnation, but in love. His act is one of assurance that when I in true repentance seek His forgiveness, I am forgiven…and the sin is remembered no more. Oh, what a wonderful Savoir we have! Praise and glory to His name!
June 20th, 2022, Mon, 7:40 pm
