“As usual “

 “As usual “

 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

Acts.14.1

Paul faithfully gave out the Word…his “as usual “ found him winning others to Christ…

Those two words caught me yesterday and again this morning….

“Creatures of habit”, “faithfully”, “ you can count on it”….other similar phrases…

There are only a few other places in Scriptures that uses “ as usual “…and I thought they were kind of interesting…

1. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it.  1Sam.17.23

Goliath’s usual taunting of others…his “bragging “ right so to speak…and the phrase, “and David heard it”…leaves one lingering on, “what will David do?”… and we know from the Scripture’s record. He defied Goliath with pebbles and more importantly, God on his side…

2.  The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. 1Sam.18.10

David faithfully played the lyre to sooth Saul’s emotions…probably playing music that he played to his Lord…I wonder if those songs later accompanied his many Psalms…

3. “As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. Ezek.33.30-32

This one was a sad commentary…Ezekiel was called as a watchman…he spoke and people heard, but they did not want to put his words in to practice…they went about their merry way after hearing truth…like  the sower’s seed …

 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Matt.13.20-21

4. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.  Mark.15.8

Was Pilate’s “as usual “ bending to the people? Was he predictably giving in to others to appease them?

5. Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.  Luke.22.39-44

This was my favorite…Jesus prayed “as usual”….in this instance he was praying before his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection…his agony apparent…but we know he prayed, as usual…for his disciples…for us…in John 17..

His “as usual” was an open conversation with God that we too can enjoy…

Thank YOU…

Faithful…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJFlY0mwFks