Title:When I Find it Convenient... / Topic: Submission

Today’s Reading: Job 17; Acts 24; Acts 25; Acts 26

Scripture: Acts 24:25
25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

Observation: Felix was feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit under the influence of Paul's persuasive testimony of Jesus. Instead of responding to it by submitting to the Lord, he sent Paul away so that he would have to hear it no more. Felix wanted to be in control. He was interested, but not to the point of wanting to let God into his life. "When I find it convenient..." --- these are the words of a person who wants to be master of his life. He would hear about God only on his terms and on his timetable. Very sad! We don't always get second chances.

Application: Even as believers we can try to put God onto our timetable and listen to him at our own convenience. Our relationship with our Lord will be a weak and anemic one if we do. He wants to be the one in control of us---and we are much better off if we let him be just that! I don't want to respond to my Lord and Father like an unbeliever would. As it says in 2Cor. 6:2, " I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." I need to make sure I'm really allowing him to be Lord of my life by responding to him immediately and not putting him off.

Prayer: Father, I know that for various reasons; laziness, fear, self-centeredness, I have sometimes put you off with a "When I find it convenient" attitude. Forgive me. I have been bought with a price and I really have no right to do that. You have given us a free will with which we can dismiss you, but in the end we suffer for it. I really do want to be instantly submissive to your will and call but my flesh calls me to indulge my own preferences instead. Help me to crucify my sin nature and to fully give myself to you.

This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.