TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Elder Chris Beltran

Paul clearly knew that persecution, imprisonment, hardships, and even the possibility of death awaited him in every city, especially since he was headed to Jerusalem, where he would face the Jewish religious leaders again.

Knowing the danger, we would probably not dare to push through. But Paul obeyed despite being warned of the threat. Why? His motivation was found in verse 24, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” To Paul, the gospel and his faithfulness and obedience to the Lord’s command were both worth living and dying for. He considered his own life worth nothing to him, but his only aim was to finish the race and complete the task. It reminds us of the teaching of Christ in Matthew 16:25, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Paul knew exactly what he was called to be, his purpose for living, and he ran his race faithfully with integrity, perseverance, passion, and commitment, not just to finish but to complete the task the Lord Jesus had given him. What task was that? The mission of testifying about the good news of God’s grace.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, Acts 20:13-24 teaches us about Paul’s dedication to Your calling. May we also be faithful in sharing Your gospel. Give us a heart for Your mission, prioritize Your message, and guide us in humility and boldness. May our faithfulness be a testimony to Your love and the hope found in Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen.