Rejecting One's Own Hope

Scripture: They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I have belonged to the strictest sect of our religion and lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand here on trial on account of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors, a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope, Your Excellency, that I am accused by Jews! Acts 26:5-7

Observation: Paul begins his defense before King Agrippa with this summary statement ... He himself is very well educated in Jewish principles, which include the hope of a Messiah who will provide new meaning and restoration for the Jews as the Lord's kingdom of priests, and this Messiah actually came and fulfilled every hope of the prophets. It is for declaring the joy that all hope has been fulfilled that the Jews now seek Paul's execution.

Paul will go on to tell his testimony, and in fact will encourage Agrippa to believe in Jesus, however it is this first fact that is the entire cause of the trial. The Jews - those who hope for purpose and meaning and peace as a people - have rejected the truth, even though that truth completely fulfilled the prophetic promises they believe would bring about their purpose and meaning and peace.

Application: What do so many people hope for today? They hope for ... their lives to have purpose; their daily activities to be joyful; their interactions to be positive; their hearts to find love. What do so many people reject today? They reject ... Jesus as the Messiah, and by extension the love, joy, wisdom, and purpose that is found in God's perfect love.

It is easy to see the illogical decisions of those people who are of the world. However, the bible shows us that this has always been the way of humans, influenced by satan, driven by the pride of self-determination, seeking to actualize their own solutions to life's problems instead of accepting God's very simple solution.

The majority of people reject that which they hope for when it is provided to them by the miraculous, wise, loving hand of the Lord. This has always been the case.

Prayer: Lord, again today I am reminded to how strongly the evil in the world has corrupted human hearts and minds. I am just as likely to fall victim to this regarding daily matters and activities as anyone. Please guard my heart and mind, so I may depend on your hand and wise direction in my daily walk. Amen.