SCRIPTURE:
'And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”'
Acts 5:38-39
OBSERVATION:
I’ve recently heard many testimonies on how the Lord has brought hope to a hopeless situation. These stories have built my faith and today’s scripture has written it on the tablet of my heart that “God’s plan, God can”.
Gamaliel’s advice to his fellow Pharisee’s was to leave it alone, cause if Peter and his crew were not genuine then their plans would just fall apart. But, if it instead grew and prospered then they best not touch it too cause then they’d be fighting against something beyond their control, God’s plan.
APPLICATION:
I at times fall victim to needing to see in order to believe. I’m Thomas, wanting to see the holes in the hands, Moses questioning whether I’m the one you really want to send. I will willingly jump into anything the Lord asks me to do, but only after “praying about it”, which for me often means checking schedules, counting cost, weighing effort.
A moderate stretch, but taking Gamaliel’s advice would benefit my perspective as it pertains to the tough assignment of obedience. With so much transitioning and at blazing speeds, I’m often caught in the web of deciding what is “of God” and what is simply a preference. What has been inspired by the Holy Spirit and what is just a “cool thing fill in the blank is doing”. What is of value and what is just a style? If I’m to truly be obedient, I don’t need to define anything, instead, I just need to obey. Again, moderate stretch, but my heart and perspective needs to be reminded that God’s plan will come to fruit whether I decide to water it or not, so why not just get my plow, dig and plant deep and trust God’s plan.
The challenge: I’ve seen and experienced plans of men, sometimes my own, fall the wayside and never come to fruit. What started with wonder ends up falling to the wayside. But, obedience says to “doubt my doubts before I doubt my faith.” It says to take that step out of the boat, as the worse thing that could happen is my Savior will save as He has faithfully done time and time again. “God’s plan, God can”. I wise man told me to trust God and agape people. Today, I need to trust God, period. If it’s of Him then good, if it’s not, then He is still honored through my obedience.
When I solely fix my intent and actions on obedience to God it doesn’t matter the assignment, it doesn’t matter what I think, it doesn’t even matter what other’s think. All that matters is that God is honored when I’m more concerned with doing right then being right.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me to trust You, period. Forgive me for the times I’ve needed to see before I believe, and for the times I’ve allowed counting the cost to become an excuse for delaying obedience.
Help me discern Your voice without being distracted by preferences, trends, or the opinions of
others. Remind me that Your plans do not depend on my understanding, but my obedience is an opportunity to honor You. Today, may I be more concerned with doing right than being right,
trusting that if it is of You, no one can overthrow it and if it’s not of You, You are still worthy of my obedience. Amen
