8 October 2010
Psalm 140, 142; Micah 3:9-4:5; Acts 24:24-25:12; Luke 8:1-15

Though today the city is full of injustice and inequity, there will come a day when this is not the case. The nation was meant to be a people and a land where justice was done, where the rest of the world could see a better way to live and have community, but they could not see it because God’s people were greedy and hungry for what the world had to offer. They were no different from the world. Micah speaks of the day when true justice reigns and all the world will come to Jerusalem to learn and to live according to the way of the Lord. Peace and prosperity will be established in the name of the Lord by those who follow His ways.

The parable of the soils explains why some follow and some do not. Jesus tells us that there will be those who hear the message but who do not follow it because they are consumed with the things of the world, there will be others who spring up but do not last as they have no roots, there will be others whose faith is choked out by the weeds, the stuff of earth, and then there will be those in whom the Word takes root and through them, God produces a bountiful crop. I am thankful that in my life I can see seasons of all the above and that God was faithful in working on the ground of my heart, improving it so that eventually His Word would be established there. Don’t despair, He is still at work in you to bring about the harvest!

Felix had left his wife and married this Drusilla so when Paul began to speak of self-control he was speaking to him. When he spoke of justice we know he also spoke directly to Felix as we see him expecting a bribe rather than by being committed to justice. Future judgment was for Felix as one who had neither self-control nor a commitment to justice and Felix wanted no part of Paul’s message since it applied to him. Finally, before Festus, Paul appeals to Caesar rather than be delivered back to Jerusalem for trial, he knows that he won’t be given justice there. He is unwilling to give the council power of life or death, only Caesar, so Festus says, “Fine, go to Rome.” How sad it is that Paul has a greater expectation of justice from the civil authorities than from what were once his friends and allies in the faith.

I cry to thee, O LORD; I say, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
Give heed to my cry; for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are too strong for me!
Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to thy name!
The righteous will surround me; for thou wilt deal bountifully with me.