Resting in God's Sovereignty

Resting in God’s Sovereignty

Acts 23:1-11

“But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

                  It is always frustrating when our plans and desires are thwarted by the actions and decisions of others. We strive for a promotion only to have someone less deserving get the job because the boss likes them better. As much as we want to think that we are the masters of our own destiny, the reality is that our destiny is often determined by circumstances that are outside of our control. As a result, we become resentful and discouraged. 

                  Undoubtedly, Paul was frustrated.  When He arrived in Jerusalem, he related to the church leaders how God had done remarkable work in the lives of the Gentiles.  As a result, James and the other Elders in the church rejoiced (21:19-20). However, Jews from Asia arrived seven days later, and they stirred up the religious leaders against Paul.  As a result, they dragged Paul from the temple and took him out of the city to put him to death.  If it were not for the intervention of the Romans, Paul would have been murdered.  However, his ordeal was not over.  When it came time for his defense, the religious leaders remained passive until he told how the Gentiles were responding to the gospel then the Jews had enough.  They demanded his execution (22:22).  Even though he was arrested and put under the protective care of the Romans, the Jews were bent on executing Paul (23:12-22).  The circumstances seemed to conspire against Paul.  We can only imagine his thoughts and emotions as he sat in prison.  When the Lord appeared to him, the first words were, “Take courage,” implying that Paul was frustrated and discouraged.  It seemed as if the people stood against him everywhere he went, hindering his work.   In 2 Corinthians, Paul mentions that he struggled at times with fear and depression (2 Cor. 7:5-7).  The fact that Christ personally appeared to Paul in prison suggests that Paul needed encouragement.  As a result, the Lord appeared to Paul and reminded Paul that the actions of others never thwart the plans and purpose of God for our lives.  Instead of undermining God's plans, God remains in control of our lives, and he even uses the adverse actions of others to accomplish his purpose.  We see this in the events that followed.  The uprising caused by the Jewish leaders and Paul’s subsequent arrest set in motion a series of events that God would use to send Paul to Rome.  Not only would Paul go to Rome, but God would use the Romans to pay for the trip and supply his housing while in Rome!  

                  When circumstances occur outside our control and people's actions negatively impact our lives and disrupt our plans, it is easy to be resentful and frustrated.      We become discouraged when our goals are foiled by others or undermined by the circumstances we encounter.  However, when we are living in obedience to God, and He is in control of our lives, nothing can hinder His purpose.  While we see only the adversity we face, God remains the unseen hand governing and controlling the circumstances to place us in the precise position where His will for our lives can be fulfilled.  

When events do not go according to your plan, instead of getting frustrated, trust in God, for He is using these incidents to position you in the center of His will.  Circumstances do not obstruct God’s plans; instead, God directs the events to fulfill his plans.  When life is not going according to your plan, take courage because it is going according to God’s plan.