Acts 3:17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.
What calls to me from today’s reading is in verse 19, which talks about times of refreshing coming from the Lord. We are at the tail end of a North Carolina summer. The heat and humidity have been brutal. Times of refreshing sound wonderful.
Acts 3:18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.
Of course, Peter is talking about something completely different from refreshment from an NC summer. He is talking about times of refreshment that can only come when we lay all our burdens at the feet of Jesus, admit our sins (large and small, intentional and unintentional) and allow Jesus to infuse every part of us so that we are still and silent in His presence, so that we feel on a deep level His sovereignty, love, and compassion.
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord….
Lord, I want desperately the refreshment and renewal that can only come from You. Help me to lay aside my preconceived notions of my role, Your role, “the plan,” and to be still in Your presence. Help me to hear Your still, small voice. Help me to root myself in You always. Amen.
Acts 3:20 …and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
Have a blessed day.