Paul’s Review - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand.
Acts 26:22

Paul's Review
Paul stood before Porcius Festus and Herod Agrippa II, two ranking officials in Judea. Imprisoned in Caesarea for the past two years, Paul was awaiting a journey to Rome where he would appear before Caesar regarding the Jewish accusations against him. Agrippa had recently arrived and expressed interest in Paul's situation, so an audience had been arranged.

What could Paul say to summarize his experiences? He first recalled his early life among the Pharisees, then his encounter with the risen Lord. He declared that he "was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (v. 19) but had announced God's message faithfully: "Repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance" (v. 20).

Then we come to our verse: "Having obtained help from God, to this day I stand." What a beautiful summary of his work and service! Paul was converted in the mid-30s ad, and this conversation probably occurred in the year 59. More than two decades of travels and trials, teaching and preaching the message of Christ, are contained in that expression, "having obtained help from God." He could have told dramatic stories of near-death experiences or shared moving details of lives transformed by the gospel; but it was enough to consider all of that and simply declare, "I have obtained help from God."

How would we summarize our own experiences with the Lord? Are we like Paul, aware of God's help all along the way? Most of our days are filled with the mundane and ordinary, and His quiet presence adds peace and joy. Other days are punctuated by intense shock and deep sorrow, yet He is a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1). Whether we are learning or serving, working or waiting, pleading or praising, here is a declaration of confidence where our faith can rest today: "I have obtained help from God."

Stephen Campbell