Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Acts 26 before reading the devotional below.
If you are hoping for a really stellar ending to Acts, (spoiler alert) you will be sorely disappointed. This book literally just ends with absolutely no resolution. Paul’s other letters give us some clues as to the events that follow, but we really do not get to hear the end of this story.
In today’s chapter, Paul appeals once again to King Agrippa and to the governor, Festus. Paul refers to Agrippa’s intimate knowledge of Jewish theology, so he must have been pretty familiar with the sects to which Paul refers. Festus thinks Paul is just downright insane and thinks he should lay off the books for a while. Paul tells the story of his conversion for the third time, because his encounter with Jesus was just that life-changing. But the last line of this chapter is a kicker: “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”
Paul wasn’t standing there, wringing his hands and hoping for his freedom. He knew two things very clearly: Jesus showed up on that Damascus road and his next move is to get to Rome. He isn’t worried that it isn’t going to work out. He is not intimidated by talking to all these powerful leaders. He doesn’t really even seemed that stressed about being in prison. His mission is pretty much going how he thought it would, and he’s determined to keep following the Spirit. Shed some self-doubt today by trusting God to lead you where he wants to take you.