Thursday 2 June 2022

Today is Thursday the 2nd of June, in the seventh week of Easter.

Kristene DiMarco sings, ‘Take Courage’. In today’s passage, we hear the Lord saying this to Paul. If you need courage from the Lord yourself today, take a moment to ask for this now…
Slow down, take time
Breath in He said
He'd reveal what's to come
The thoughts in His mind
Always higher than mine
He'll reveal all to come
Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
Hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
Sing praise my soul
Find strength in joy
Let His Words lead you on
Do not forget
His great faithfulness
He'll finish all He's begun
Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
Hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
Hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
And You who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory
And You who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory
Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
Hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
Hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting


Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 22: 30
Since he wanted to find out what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before them.
When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.’ When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) Then a great clamour arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’ When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.
That night the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’

The Apostle Paul: a sharp, alert defender of what he believes. This leader of the early church has a hugely demanding role, but he’s up to the job. What kind of person copes with this level of scrutiny and attack? Why might God have wanted him for the job?
The scene changes to later that night back in the barracks where Paul is being held.… “The Lord stood near him.” The words spoken to Paul are direct. “Keep up your courage!” Imagine yourself as Paul in this moment…how does the Lord sound? What is it like to have him so near?

As you hear the passage again, become aware of God, the Holy Spirit, in these powerful scenes.
When might you need to source courage and tenacity from God? Speak to the Lord in these closing moments. Ask for what you need.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.