God’s Plan Prevails

Acts 21:10-16 

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

Shift Work

One challenge employees would face is the shift work or changes at work schedules. Experts suggest that random changes of schedule at work increase the risk of sleep disorder, headaches, heart attack, stress, depression, dementia, or even obesity.

It may take extended times to adjust and be more comfortable to changes of work schedules. Even so, the effect of random changes of work schedules is not easily overlooked or appreciated instantly.

Does the lord Jesus Christ understand those troubles? Sure, He knows and understands them very accurately. That is why He came in human flesh to save us not only from eternal damnation but also to help us in our everyday life as we wait for His coming again. He exemplified how to face concerns common to humans.

Through unique ways we can understand, the Lord would give warnings of possible difficulties. We keep reminding each of us that struggles are God’s instruments to help us check our faith in Him if we really trust in Him. But our human instinct dictates resistance to the will of God, and it is most obvious when we presume that God’s will is not favorable to us.

1.  Resist

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

Dr. Luke and the disciples in Caesarea resisted to the desire of Paul to go to Jerusalem, why? Like many of us, they were not ready to welcome tragic events.

Even before Agabus came to give warning, the Holy Spirit has already made it known to Paul that something undesirable will happen to him in Jerusalem. But why did the Holy Spirit war Paul again?

When God speaks, He will make it sure that we hear and understand Him. Not just for us but also for people who are observing us. The Holy Spirit was using that expected persecution for Paul to witness of God’s grace at work in his life.

Paul has been preaching about God’s grace. His life’s adventures were his testimony of how God’s grace is at work. The grace of God through the Holy Spirit sustained Paul with courage, joy, and peace. Paul never felt any fear in facing certain difficulties, trials, or concerns in the city of Jerusalem.

While disciples may understand the courage to face uncertainties, it is no secret to hear church people assume that you are proud when you testify or boast about the grace of God at work in your life. What has God been doing in your life?

It’s a human nature to resist God’s will. Jesus said in Matthew 7:14, 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

It’s only by the grace of God, that we appreciate the road that leads to eternal life. This reality, that only a few will be saved, the Lord has declared it, and it will surely happen. Humans don’t instantly appreciate miserable things. Three times the Lord Jesus prayed, 36 Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” [Mark 14:36]

Why did the Lord Jesus seemingly protest against His crucifixion? He knows that there are easier ways to save mankind but God’s Grand Design of salvation has been decided even before creation. Jesus exemplified that even when we wish to escape probable tough times, the will of God will always prevail.

When Paul said that he was ready to die for the name of Jesus, it was another testament of God’s grace at work in his life. Are you ready to die for Jesus?

2.  Ready

13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

It’s with God’s grace that Paul was ready to face challenges ahead. The same Holy Spirit who warned him of problems is the One who gave Paul the readiness to face the will of the Lord, even when it meant death. Facing difficulties with peace of mind enable us to realize that we have grown in our faith in the Lord.

The human nature dictates that it’s scary to die. Human instinct resists the idea to die for Christ. But faith in Jesus gives us hope that life waiting for us in heaven is far better than anything this world can give. The greater our faith in God is, the clearer the assurance of better life waiting for us in eternity.

In this life, we know that there are many uncertainties. In church setting, church members should have unified spirit and mind. Our membership requirements cannot guarantee that a member is really part of the body of Christ. But God allows all loopholes to glorify Himself in the life of those who are genuine believers.

We presume but we cannot completely discern who the genuine and who the pretender Christian is. It is tough when pretenders have established their roots or authorities. When things go worst, and we did the best we know, God’s grace would give us peace to be assured that His plan will always prevail.

The Psalmist wrote his personal experiences and dilemma. In Psalm 121, I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

When the Scripture says that the Lord watches over us, it did not promise that God would not let us experience any problem. As we face problems in life, it sure manifests if we are truly experiencing the grace of God at work in us.

The knowledge of God is a product of faith in God. Faith in God is more displayed in obedience to God’s personal instruction to us. To resist, ignore, or reject the will of God is a display of little knowledge of God.

How do you know when God is speaking to you? How do you know if you are resisting the will of God? How can you differentiate God’s will and human will? How do you know when a sermon is God’s voice or human lecture?

We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit always. The Holy Spirit would help us to discern God’s voice from human lecture. The Holy Spirit gives us peace and joy when an admonition from God is heard, but when human nature is prevailing, there’s resistance, objection, protest, and confrontation.

Like Paul, when God’s grace is at work, our human efforts or attempts to save our life, reputation, or future are never enough. The Lord Jesus is our Saviour. Like the Lord Jesus, when the Spirit of Christ is at work in our life, in the midst of trials, difficulties, or concerns, we have peace and joy to say, “Not my will but your plans O, God, will prevail.”

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