Today’s Devotion
Topic: Keep Praying For Them!
Text: Galatians 1: 23 – 24.
23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me. Amen
Many of us know of Apostle Paul’s conversion from Judaism to Christianity in Acts chapter 9. It is simply amazing to read his own account of the things that happened to him after the Damascus incidence and the processes the Holy Spirit took him through till he becomes the Apostle for the gentiles we now know him to be.
In his letter to the Galatians, he writes “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”
“For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”
“But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.”
“I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles —only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.”
“Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.” (Gal 1: 11- 24)
Beloved, if God could easily convert Saul, a persecutor of the gospel and then turn him to become a preacher of the faith he once tried to destroy, then God can convert that loved one of yours if you don’t give up on them.
It doesn’t matter how much they have meddled with sin. Neither does it matter how long they have persecuted our faith. Just continue to witness Christ to them, and pray for them. Pray that their hearts will be softened to receive the word of God. Pray that they be set free from the chains that bind them to sin.
Do not worry if you do not see any immediate sign of hope that they desire to give their lives to Christ. That day is coming soon where they encounter Jesus and their lives will never be the same! You will hear reports that your stubborn husband or wife, daughter or son, friend or foe, subordinate or boss who used to despise you on account of Christ is now preaching the very faith they once spoke against. Just keep praying for them!
If God saved the worst of sinners when he saved us, then none is ever beyond the touch of grace; not even the vilest offender!
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