Acts 20 Devotional

Entrusted to the Word of Grace

“And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.”Acts 20:32 (BSB)

Paul calls the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him at Miletus. He reminds them how he served among them with humility and tears, holding nothing back as he called Jews and Greeks to repentance toward God and faith in Jesus (20:19-21). The Spirit has warned him that chains and hardships wait ahead, and he does not count his life precious, as long as he finishes the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace (20:23-24).

Then he speaks about the church in words that show its worth to God. It is the church of God, bought with his own blood (20:28). Hard days are coming, with false teachers rising even from within (20:29-30). He cannot stay to protect them. So he hands them over to God and to his gracious word, which can build them up and bring them into what God has promised (20:32). They kneel, pray and weep together. When you cannot be there for the people you love, you can still commit them to the God who bought them.

To think about: Who are you worried about whom you could entrust to God and the word of his grace today?