"But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Acts 19:34
Two hours shouting! Oh my! Sounds like some of the recent protests from around the world. The poor Jew who was shouted down was a guy named Alexander who was just trying to squelch a riot. The riot was stirred up by a silversmith named Demetrius, who made Artemis idols. Why is there so often a money or power angle to riots? Well, at the heart of this reaction was people turning away from idolatry and towards Jesus and whipped up about how that would affect the traditions and the idol industry. People will miss the truth in the name of not wanting to change or for a few dollars. This is human nature: selfish, rebellious and lazy. Why is it even in the Bible? Devotionals should only be about encouragement and victory, healing and salvation, right? Well, New Testament life had low moments too. On this day, the crowd rejected the truth of Christ and resisted change. Not every Bible account is a victory. The believers would regroup and move forward. A little discouraged, but faithful. When we are tested, we move forward, knowing He is for us. Can’t win them all. But we keep on keeping on, knowing the truth is still the truth. The news can be discouraging, but the truth is greater.
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