Day 310 "The Reluctant Orator"

Passage: Acts 19:33-34

The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

Devotion:

As I read today's passage I thought it was funny the way Alexander was drafted into becoming the spokesperson for the Jews -- they "pushed" him to the front and then "shouted instructions to him". He was a puppet (not even using his own words) and it certainly wasn't the right formula for quieting the crowd. The result was completely unsuccessful as the crowd not only rejected Alexander, but continued on for two hours, shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" ?I wonder what kind of "instructions" the Jews had given Alexander. It sure does seem like those on the sidelines always have such great and wise suggestions for those they place in front of the crowd.

Contrast this result with the numerous Biblical examples of similarly reluctant men who were drafted by God to become His spokesperson (Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Daniel, and Jonah to name a few). The difference of course is what happens when we are God and Spirit powered versus when we are influenced and forced ahead by man's will. How supportive do you think the Jews would have been if the crowd physically attacked Alexander?

Questions to Ponder:

There is nothing wrong with being reluctant; however, the question is: Who has your back, or rather who is directing you? Are you allowing others to use you for their own purposes or are you humbly positioned to serve the Lord and Him only? Sometimes we get confused over man's will versus the Lord's. Who is calling you to action, man or God?