Acts 19:32-41
English
Standard Version (ESV)
32 Now some cried out one thing, some
another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why
they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted
Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his
hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they
recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one
voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the
crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city
of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone
that fell from the sky?[a] 36 Seeing then that these
things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For
you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of
our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with
him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are
proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But
if you seek anything further,[b] it shall be settled in the regular
assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with
rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this
commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed
the assembly.
As I read this
passage today I had to think of the rioting that has been taking place in the
United States of America. People are in
the streets are disrespecting our police through their own violence. They are burning business owners building,
looting, and disturbing the peace amongst fellow brothers and sisters all to
make a point that it is wrong to harm others.
That makes absolutely no sense at all.
I would venture to say that most people involved in these riots are
people who do not even care about the cause, they are just present to be a
disturbance, to make some noise, steal some items, or burn some buildings. That appears to be the case in this scripture
as well. It was utter chaos and many did
not even know why they were there.
As these riots
were occurring the families of the victims were pleading that they not riot but
no one was listening because they were too busy going out and destroying. While the families are dealing with grief,
they are also dealing with the situation in the correct manner, through the
courts.
I am convinced
in this scripture that God is the true One to intervene. He is the one that controls the confusion in
our own lives. Believe me when I say
that there has been confusion in my life.
There have been times of fighting within myself and not really even
knowing why I was fighting. This destruction
destroys confidence, peace of mind, and eventually it will burn the body to
rubble. There is no value in the
destruction of ones self just like there is no value in the destruction caused
by a riot. There is only one way to resolve this conflict and it is by taking
it to the Judge, the One who brings comfort, strength, and purpose to ones
life. Taking the problems to the throne
of Grace where our Father knows all will be the only way to calm the riot
within each of us.
As you seek Him
today, remember by taking those riots to the Father and by asking for comfort,
strength, and understanding the riot subsides and we find peace.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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