Monday, March 8, 2004
Acts 13: 11
“And now, behold, that hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not
seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell upon him a mist and a
darkness; and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.”
This verse is referring to Elymas the magician. He did all he could to dissuade
others from receiving the gospel, the message of God, in Christ Jesus. There are
many to-day who do much the same. They use their office of power and persuasion
to lead the sheep astray. God has other designs. God has separated His servants, His
messengers, to deliver the gospel and whoa betide those who would hinder the work
of God There will be dire consequences. We may not see the immediate results
to-day, but they are there. Inside the soul of these people is discontent and unrest.
They are always anxious souls. One does not have to serve in ministry long before
you meet them. Yes, some are even inside the church, and they walk in the right
clothing, but lack the inner grace. The heart remains hardened to the things of God.
Beware dear brethren that we do not grieve the Holy Spirit by our behaviour. God
will act harshly and He will act quickly.
I am reminded of the story of the atheist who went about challenging the existence
of God. I cannot verify that this story is true, but it establishes a point. When he
gathered a crowd, he pointed to heaven, shook his fist, and said, “God, if there be a
God, If you exist I challenge you to strike me dead.” He looked to heaven, then he
looked about the crowd, and drew jeers and jocularity about his boastings. “There”,
he said, “There is no God.” He walked away. Whilst walking home through the
wooded path, a great flash of lightning struck him and killed him instantly. God
does not want an audience. Indeed, God does not need a witness. His hand is swift
and it is sure. He answers even the requests of the unsaved.
This man, Elymas, or Bar-Jesus claimed the name the son of Jesus, but Paul calls
him the son of the devil, he calls himself one of wisdom and knowledge, but is
reduced to beggar status. He once misled the people and now must find someone to
take him by the hand to find his way in the world.
We may think we are the wise ones, but God will reduce us to nothing. In this
instance, the Lord’s quick hand upon the magician has good results. The proconsul
believes the message that the missionaries had brought them. Verse 12 “Then the
deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of
the Lord.” This shows the importance of those times in church when we give time
for personal testimonies. Often people asked me how to witness to this cult or that
religion. They think I will give them great knowledge about what practices these
other religions follow. My answer is always the same. Tell them about Jesus, and
what He has done in your life. It is the best witness one can give. It is
demonstrating the sure hand of God upon a life, which was once adorned in filthy
rags, and now in the robes of the Kingdom.
Lord, help us to always be prepared to have an answer for the hope that is within
us. Help us to tell about Jesus, and His redeeming grace.
Cheers,
Jim