Throughout Acts 26, we find Paul showing incredible confidence as he makes his defense to Festus and Agrippa. Standing before a mighty king, descended from rulers who killed apostles and persecuted the Savior, Paul can say boldly, “I am not out of my mind… I am speaking true and rational words” (vs. 25). Paul knows what he believes. This confidence is reflected in many of the hymns we sing this morning. We will declare that “the Lord [we] know is God indeed” (All People That On Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100), and that we know He will be “with [us] to the end” (‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus). We are comforted that none can “shake [our] sure repose, ” and that “none but Zion’s children know” the solid joy and lasting treasures of eternity (Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken). We are reminded that our confidence is found in our souls belonging to Christ (Christ Our Hope In Life And Death), and that we can know Jesus’ love for us because “the Bible tells me so” (Jesus Loves Me, This I Know). I hope that singing these familiar hymns will inspire confidence, reminding us of the truths we already know. Though we may not need to stand before a king defending our faith, we can draw on the same confidence that Paul had. Lord willing, Paul would say of us, like he says (perhaps facetiously) of Agrippa, “I know that you believe.
—Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: Mind, True, Persuade, Believe, Become, King, Chains, Free
Keystone Verse: And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” — Acts 26:28
