Acts 28:24 – SOME BELIEVED NOT
Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
Paul was in Rome and many of the Jews set a day when they could all come and listen to Paul speak about the hope of Israel. The Jews had heard about the sect called Christians and they did not have a favorable response to them. However, they were willing to spend the time to listen to Paul and make a decision on their own.
On a set day, many Jews crowded into the house where Paul found himself in house arrest and they listened to HIM from morning until evening. Paul explained to them who Jesus was using the law of Moses and the prophets. At the end of the day, some of the Jews believed while others did not.
We have a duty to God to obey, but the results of our obedience is in the hands of the Lord. Just because everyone who came to listen to Paul that day did not believe in Jesus did not make Paul’s efforts worthless. Paul was not a failure because he was not able to persuade everyone to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul understood that just because God had called him to preach in Rome, it did not mean that everyone whom he preached to would accept Jesus Christ. Paul understood that just because everyone did not believe, it does not mean that the blessing of the Lord was not upon HIM. Paul did not have unreasonable expectations of God for his life. Paul understood that it was his duty to obey God and it was up to God to determine how everything would come together.
We sometimes have unreasonable expectations for God and our life. We think that whatever we put our hands to do, God needs to bless it as we believe HE should bless it. If we are working for a company, we feel that the company should constantly be promoting us and giving us raises.
In the same way that Paul did not expect a 100% conversion rate with those whom he shared the gospel with, so also we should not believe that God is going to give us everything we wish or think for just because we are obeying HIM.
David was obeying God by serving Saul, but that did not stop Saul from trying to kill David. Elijah was obeying God by killing the prophets of Baal and praying for rain, but that did not stop Queen Jezebel from trying to kill him. Joseph was faithful to God in rising to a level of authority both as a slave and a prisoner, however that did not automatically mean he was released from slavery or prison.
Duty is ours, results are the Lords. Yes, there are stories in the Bible were immediate obedience resulted in great blessings. Jesus once told the disciples to cast their net on the other side of the boat and their obedience resulted in a great catch of fish. When the disciples obeyed and stayed in Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Ghost, we find that the first sermon by Peter resulted in over 3,000 being saved. When Joshua commanded the priest to carry the Ark into the Jordan River, we see how upon their obedience the Jordan River parted.
There will be times when we see supernatural results as we obey God and there will be times when we obey and do not see the fruit that we desire to see. It is our responsibility to be patient and not be focused upon the results. God knows what is best for us and it is our duty to simply obey what God tells us to do and then patiently wait and see what HE brings to pass.