Pray the word with David Platt as a resource from Radical.net.

Acts chapter 26 verse 6, and now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by

God to our fathers. I could keep reading on as Paul is speaking in front of all these officials

leaders around him, but I love this verse. As Paul says, I'm standing here on trial. Why am I on

trial? I'm on trial because of hope. What a praise. I am standing on trial because of my hope

in the promise made by God to our fathers. What a picture. Paul is risking his life or hope in a

promise made by God. And Acts chapter 26 verse 6 is a glaring reminder to all of us that hope is

worth it. The promises of God are worth it. They're worth being persecuted over. They're worth risking

your life for because they are that sure. They are that certain. This is not a hope like I hope my

team will win the Super Bowl or the World Series or I hope this or that will happen. And we're

really not sure if it's going to happen. No, this is a confidence. This is a guarantee. Bosses,

I know he goes on to talk about the resurrection, which we've heard him talk about before and the

previous chapters right here in Acts and pointing to the resurrection of Jesus and resurrection from

the dead to come for all those who trust in Jesus. Paul is confident in the hope he has. He's

confident in the promises of God. And so I just want to encourage you to ask the question,

are you willing to be persecuted for your hope? Are you willing to be persecuted for your hope

specifically in the promises of God for your trust and the promises of God for your confidence

and the promises of God? I think about our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world right

now, we're facing all kinds of risks to their life and their livelihood. They're hoping.

They're hoping in God. This is why in 1 Corinthians 15, as Paul's talking about, I am being

persecuted all the time, dying daily. He said it's because I know that Jesus is risen from the dead.

I'm persecuted for hope. And I think about, well, even in my culture, in my country whose jobs

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