Acts - Week 12 / Thursday

Reading for today: Acts 24:1-21

Perseverance. It is a fruit grown in the soil of suffering (check out Romans 5:1-5 if you aren't sure).

In an address at Harrow School, October 29, 1941, Winston Churchill said, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never give in." Then he sat down.

Acts 24 opens with these words: "Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish leaders and the lawyer Tertullus, to press charges against Paul." For the better part of the last two weeks of Paul's life, he has been hounded by those who would like nothing better than to see him dead.

They slandered him in the Temple, beat him in the streets, planned his assassination, and now they came to falsely accuse him in a Roman governor's court (they even hired a professional orator - Tertullus).

But Paul persevered. Beginning in Acts 24:10 we read of his own defense. His defense is remarkable for two reasons. First, in spite of the harrowing experiences of the past 12 days, he is able to clearly communicate a reasonable defense. Odds makers would have made Tertullus the heavy favorite. I can only imagine how tired and physically exhausted (and bruised) Paul must have been. And yet, he is able to speak powerfully and eloquently on his own behalf.

The second thing about his defense that is remarkable is his ability to once again seize the opportunity to share the Good News with his audience. In Acts 24:14-16, Paul uses his platform to tell those within earshot of the hope he has in God. Paul models for us the admonition given to us in 1 Peter 3:15, "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

I have to give Paul huge props. Not only does he persevere through 12 days of adversity, but when he does respond he does it with such class. Remember, these people were trying to kill him! It's one thing to whine and complain through tough times, and another to gently, respectfully, and courageously handle adversity.

James writes on this subject as well: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."

Paul's example, along with James' and Peter's thoughts, make me stop and think about how I handle adversity. According to James, my response to difficulties is a good indicator of my maturity level.

Tomorrow: Patience is a virtue