SCRIPTURE:
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
Acts 4:27-28
OBSERVATION:
When we plot, our decisions are worked into God’s plan. His plan for humanity will not be denied. However, we can choose what part we play in it. God says, “Choose today who you will serve.” If you choose Christ, all of heaven works all things for your good.
The opposite is also true, if you don’t choose Christ, you remain in your sin, therefore you have chosen destruction. God's plans will come to pass. What part will you play in it?
APPLICATION:
This brings me relief, because God’s plan will not be thwarted. Who we serve will determine what part we play. I choose to serve the Lord in work, prayer, and study. The lifestyle principle of the monastic monks was “ora et labora, et lege.” My job is to pray, work, and study and then leave the rest up to God.
This doesn’t make life less hard, but it does make it simple. To listen, trust, and obey is our role as Christians. Jesus had a cross. I will pick up my cross by His power and follow Him. I have the privilege to think like He thought, live as He lived, and do as He did. I will “ora, et labora, et lege.”
PRAYER:
Thank you for making the Christian life simple, but not easy. There is a race to run, fight to fight, and a faith to keep. Would You help me to run it well. Amen.
