Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Acts 19:23-31.
Just as Jesus faced situations of being falsely accused and using what he taught against him, his followers continued to receive that treatment. The book of Acts tells us about specific circumstances in which both Peter and Paul dealt with those issues. In this scene, Paul had been teaching about false gods and people were listening to what he had to say. In Ephesus, that was going to cut into the profits of the business people who sold trinkets and statues of the goddess Artemis. And hey, we humans can tolerate a lot, but don’t start messing with our income! So one of the silversmiths got the people riled up and soon they were rioting. I find one statement particularly intriguing: “Most of the people did not even know why they were there.” (v. 32)
I wonder how often we (I) become a part of simply following the crowd, letting the fear and anger of others guide us in how we live our life and decisions we make each day. May this scene be a reminder to each of us today to always be sure it is the Holy Spirit guiding our life and not some other force.
Personal Worship Option:
Every so often, I need to sing this prayer, written by Clara Scott in 1895. Maybe it could be your prayer today as well. Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me; place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear; and while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.
Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere; open my heart and let me prepare love with they children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee; ready, my God thy will to see. Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
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