”I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews” | Acts 26: 2

When the apostle Paul stood before king Agrippa he had been in prison for two years. (Acts 24: 27)

The Lord now opens the door for Paul to declare the gospel unto both Festus the governor and Agrippa the king and he does so by first declaring that he was a happy man. Paul was saying that he was abundantly blessed of God. That is the reason even though in bondage he was rejoicing in the Lord. He writes to the Philippians from prison in Rome and says, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4: 4)

That is the exact case of every believer.

Even though we live in this body of sin and in the bondage of death and are plagued by many trials, heartaches and much grief, we should always consider our case to be the same as Paul: “I think myself happy.”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 3-7)

Consider what David says in the Psalms about those who are blessed of God:

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” (Psalm 32: 1-2)

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34: 8)

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee.” (Psalm 65: 4)

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” (Psalm 84: 5)

Believers are abundantly blessed in Christ above all people of the earth and have every reason to rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ and be of good cheer.

-Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Our Necessary Substitute”

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Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 7 November, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a