Ezra 1-2 | John 19:23-42

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:1

 
Some of us believe that if we are doing what God called us to do that life should be easy. But we need only to look at the life of the apostles to know that being called by God is not smooth. In the opening verse of this devotion, the Apostle Paul begins his letter to the Corinthians by announcing his apostleship and calling. Basically saying, “My life is not my own. God called and sent me to do this.”

In Acts 13:37, Paul was given a divine imperative, a command to be an apostle and share the good news with the Gentiles: “For this is what the Lord has commanded [Paul and Barnabas]: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Despite receiving a calling from God, Paul’s life was not easy. Paul described the difficulties that he faced: “For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings….To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment” (1 Corinthians 4:9-13). After reading what Paul went through, we would agree that no one would outrightly choose to live the life that Paul had. Yet, Paul kept persevering, even in the hard and difficult circumstances, because he was called; he was compelled by God.

When we study the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20, did we notice the promise that Jesus made in the end?—”Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus’s promise reminds us that even when circumstances are not feeling great at the moment, His presence is with us through the ups and downs, the forward and backwards, the victories and defeats.

Even when Paul was in prison and everybody abandoned him, who was by his side? Jesus. In fact, Paul wrote in jail, encouraging us: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). Therefore, as those called by God, may we walk worthy in light of His presence through whatever circumstances life brings.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, I pray that You help me live a life worthy of Your calling, not fearing the difficulties and hardships that may lie ahead, but trusting that You are with me through it all. Thank You, Lord.