Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Have you ever known that you were going into a hard situation? Maybe it is a tough conversation at work, bills stacking up, kids acting out, or many of the other challenges we face in life. You can sometimes just feel the weight of a situation approaching like a cloud of thunder drawing closer with each second. These moments in life are very hard and seem very daunting.

As we read today, we see that Paul is at one of these moments. He was returning to Jerusalem, a place that hated him and where he knew he would be arrested. Paul knew that this dark storm cloud was headed straight for him and would ultimately lead to his death. This can be a very tough passage to read, as you are probably thinking, “Why would he do that if he knew he could just go somewhere else?” In Paul’s life, he knew that spreading the gospel was the most important thing we must do as Christians. Paul was going straight to where he knew the gospel was needed: those persecuting him.

Paul did not know how his trip would turn out, but he knew what he was called to do. And as we read in chapter 22, he did exactly that! Paul had the opportunity to share his testimony to the whole crowd of those gathered there to watch him be tried and killed. Paul used this moment to proclaim the gospel when he might not have been able to do so any other way. He reached them because of the trial he was going through.

Life is tough and full of hardships; there is no getting around that. But we can take encouragement from this passage that in every hardship, there is a chance to proclaim the gospel! Think on this truth. Those hospital visits, those work conversations, those tough times at home, the neighbor that gets on your nerves, or even the softball teams that seem to only put in the coach’s favorites. There are people all around us who are hurting and need the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can think even of those who go to the gym I work out at. There are people who are there because they are trying to “fill a void,” trying to find meaning in something rather than the someone that is Jesus.

Life is hard, and I am not denying that, but in the hardships, look around. There just might be an opportunity to share what God has done in your story. These tough circumstances can create the opportunity to share the gospel with someone who might be hurting as well, but does not have the hope that is Jesus Christ that we have. So next time you feel a storm of life coming, be extra vigilant in seeing what opportunity you have to share the gospel with someone you may not have yet encountered.

When reading this passage, think about what trials you are going through or will go through in the future.

Think about how you can rely on God as your sustainer.

Reflect on your story and how God has used tough times to shape you.

Pray that God will give you eyes to be ready to share the gospel, especially in the hard times.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.