7.5.8 "The Components of God's Plan"

"The Components of God's Plan"

I Chronicles 1:1-2:17
Acts 23:11-35
Psalm 3:1-8
Proverbs 18:14-15

By now it should not surprise you. God's ways are not our ways. I'm sure there are times when we know in our heart what God wants to see happen, but the way it comes about is completely different than we thought. And many times it has stretched us in ways we weren't planning on.

In Acts 22 & 23, Paul has been going through some intense trials in Jerusalem. Paul has been mobbed, nearly killed, arrested, and brought before the council. In front of the council he gave his testimony, and a riot started again. Now he's back in prison. 23:11 "That night the Lord stood beside Paul and said, 'Don't worry, Paul; just as you have told the people about me here in Jerusalem, so you must also in Rome.'"

A couple notes from this verse:
-That night the Lord stood beside Paul -- what a powerful thing. You know what? There have probably been some times that the Lord has stood beside each one of us in the midst of a trial. I'm afraid that sometimes I get too self absorbed to notice he's there. Don't forget to take time each night to listen as he stands beside you.

-The rest of the verse is almost funny. "Don't worry... JUST as you have told..." Paul was only in Jerusalem for about a week before being thrown into prison. To me this does not paint a rosy picture of the trip to Rome if it's going to be the same kind of stuff. "Don't worry... you're gonna get a chance to go through more of this..."

How Paul gets to Rome is what really catches my attention. Here's the progression of the rest of Acts 23:

1. The Lord stands beside Paul & tells him he's going to rome
2. More than 40 Jews get together and vow to not eat until they have killed Paul
3. Paul's nephew catches wind of this & Tells Paul
4. Paul sends the nephew to the roman Commander
5. The Roman commander calls together a detachment of 470 roman soldiers, spearmen & calvary to escort Paul to Caesarea with a personal letter to Governor Felix
6. Governor Felix read the letter & agreed to hear his case & has him kept under guard in the palace.

What stands out to me is that all the components are in place to carry out God's plan. God uses the Jews, the nephew, the Commander, and the detachment, the Governor... Sure, it is different than the way i would have wanted it. Were it to be my plan, they would have released Paul in Jerusalem, had a big send off party and had a great time preaching in Rome. But to complete the vision God has given Paul to go to Rome, there must be time in Caesarea.

In spite of it being accomplished different than we want, it's still God's plan. So many times God gives us a vision. We take that and build such a specific picture of how we think things should be, we don't move when God wants or in the direction God wants.

I catch myself waiting for things to be more like I pictured they would be before moving in obedience. We need to be ready to hear the Lord saying, "The components are in place. Move as I direct."

I'm not sure exactly what this is saying to you today, but I know that the gifts you have, the experience you have, the vision God has given you, and the resources you have are all part of what God is wanting to do in you and in the lives of those around you. If God is putting something on your heart, and he's saying "go", don't wait until it looks right or looks comfortable. Offer him your all today, and see what he does.

All of the components are in place.



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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