Daily Devotional for Thursday, April 13

Paul Gives a Report in Jerusalem

“And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry,” Acts 21:19.

Paul finally made it to Jerusalem. There was certain to be a foreboding mood and probably some anxiety among the group, but the reception from the brethren in Jerusalem was warm and welcoming. After a bit of rest, Paul met with James and the elders. This meeting was reminiscent of the council at Jerusalem where Paul and Barnabas rehearsed the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles (Acts 15:4, 12).
Several times in Scripture, God gave his people the command of rehearsing His deeds (1 Chronicles 16:24; Psalm 96:3; 145:4-6). The children of Israel were not to forget the Lord’s mighty works. They were a testimony and reminder that the Lord is still at work. Psalm 66:5 says, “Come and see the works of God: he is terrible [awe-inspiring] in his doing toward the children of men.” Jesus told the demoniac of the Gadarenes, “Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God has done unto thee,” (Luke 8:39). Missionaries frequently see the Lord work mightily firsthand. Reports from the mission field are exciting (or should be!) for those at home praying and supporting. God does amazing things all over the world, and those on the front lines where light meets darkness have many stories to tell.
Paul rehearsed God’s work among the Gentiles to James and the elders. Since their last face-to-face meeting, Paul received the vision of the Macedonian man (Acts 16:9), released a slave girl from a demon (verse 18), was set free from prison and won the jailer to the Lord (verses 30-34), and preached in Athens “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” (Acts 17:23). People throughout the province of Asia heard about Jesus (Acts 19:10), he received power to do miracles (verse 11), magicians burned their spell books (verse 19), and all that was just among the Gentiles! Many Jews believed in Jesus and witnessed God’s power as well.

THOUGHT: “To God be the glory, great things he has done!” (Fanny J. Crosby)

Kelli Reynolds