Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 263

September 20;       Acts 20:24;       109/260(III);       ‘Finishing His Race’

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul was desirous of going to Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost.  Paul and his companions sailed to Miletus and from there he sent word to the elders of Ephesus to come to him and they did.  Paul shared with these elders his testimony of preaching the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles and the trials he faced.  Paul went on to say that in Jerusalem and in every city he goes to ‘chains and tribulations’ await him.  In this verse, Paul tells us in essence, he does not care about the trials ahead.  He is not afraid to die for Christ, saying being with Jesus in heaven is far better.  But while he is here, he intends to finish the ministry he had been given by the Lord to teach the gospel of grace.  What an attitude.  No wonder the Lord could use him so mightily.  When you see what Paul went through in 2 Corinthians 11 and as you read the Book of Acts, it is hard to comprehend in the natural how anyone could go through what Paul did and remain faithful, not quitting.  In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul relates that because the Lord had given him such great revelation, a demonic spirit was ‘assigned’ to him to stir up trouble and persecution for Paul wherever he went.  Paul cried out to the Lord three times to remove the demon.  The Lord replied that His grace was sufficient for Paul and that the Lord would make Paul strong in his natural weakness.  Whatever Jesus calls us to do, His grace (ability to do this) will empower us to do it. Be faithful, He will help you succeed.