Bible Reading: Acts 26:1-20
Key Verse: Verse 2 – “I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:”
Key Words: I think myself happy
To say the
least, Paul was in a perplexing situation.
He was facing death for literally doing nothing wrong (Acts 25:10). He now stands before King Agrippa and says,
“I think myself happy.”
There are
times that in the midst of all sorrow and trials, we have to look for the good
and literally “think ourselves happy.”
Have you ever done that? I know
those who think themselves into sorrow, and others who think themselves into a
fit of anger; but I know very few people who think themselves into being happy.
Near the end
of her life, Frances Havergal jotted down on a calendar everyday things for which she thanked God for that day. She said, “It’s my way of thinking myself
happy.”
The
seventeenth century pastor Jeremy Taylor was persecuted for his faith. His house was plundered, his family driven
out, his estate seized. He wrote, “I
have fallen into the hands of publicans, and they have taken all from me. Now what?
They have taken away my merry countenance, my cheerful spirit, and a
good conscience. They have still,
though, left me with my family, my Bible, the promises of God, my hope of
heaven, and my charity to them, too.
Still I sleep, I eat, I drink, I read, I meditate. God has given me so many causes for joy that
the little handful of thorns shall not take away my thankfulness to God.”
Should we not carry the same attitude? Today, I challenge you - no matter what
happens in your life, think yourself happy.
What to do:
✞ Focus on the things that matter, not the things
that do not matter.
✞
Stay close to God. Thinking oneself
happy requires this.
✞
Stay in the Word. Thinking oneself happy
requires this, as well.
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