Acts 26:7
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
Acts 26:7
“Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.” Paul grounds his life in the nation’s truest longing: the coming of God’s kingdom and the fulfillment of covenant hopes. The phrase “instantly serving God day and night” evokes faithful, consistent devotion, a life oriented toward worship and obedience. The charge against him is tied to this very hope: a hope that demanded radical reorientation of life around Jesus as Messiah.
This verse highlights the eschatological tension of the present age—already inaugurated but not yet consummated. Paul’s life embodies the tension: the faithful Jews await the promised Messiah; Paul proclaims that Jesus is that fulfillment. Theologically, it emphasizes the continuity of biblical anticipation with New Covenant reality, inviting believers to live in hopeful anticipation, shaping ethics and choices accordingly.
If your life is shaped by a specific hope—justice, reconciliation, healing, or God’s kingdom—let that hope guide daily choices. Your work, family, and friendships should reflect a forward-looking faith. In conversations, articulate how this hope informs your decisions and priorities. When you’re tempted to drift into cynicism or complacency, remember the “hope to come.” Let it drive you to acts of service, prayer, and honest community.
Cross-References: Colossians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Hebrews 10:23; Romans 15:13; Titus 2:11-13