SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:42-48
“Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life…” (Acts 13:46)
Some chose to accept Paul’s message, others chose to reject it.
If results were up to us, we might take pride in good results, or despair at bad ones.
But when all is said and done, the results are not in our hands.
“And all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48)
Those who respond are exactly those who need to respond… at that time.
Some people believe that God pre-ordains everything, others reject that idea.
I find myself saying both… which I know makes no sense.
We are free to choose, yet God is at work helping me choose.
Both God’s sovereignty AND human response-ability – or responsibility.
I don’t know HOWS and WHYS of this, but I know it all fits somehow into God’s plan.
For my part I must respond, and I am responsible for my response.
I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me.
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
no, I was found of thee.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I don’t understand this, but I affirm it by faith. I choose You, and thank You for choosing me. Maybe one day You can explain this one to me.
Observation/Application
The Spirit at work.
A preacher’s dream being urged to continue to explain. And thn the whole city came out. WoW!
Whenever and wherever God’s word is proclaimed, we may never be jealous of the following – it is God Who is at work. We are just His instruments/vessels He uses His wonders to perform. He gives the increase. We just have to do His bidding.
And the ‘seed’ falls upon the ground and ‘all who were appointed for eternal life believed.’ God at work. God’s selection. Two at the well – one selected and one left. God at work. Not what my hands have done. All is in God’s hands. I just need to speak His Word daily.
1
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thy erring children lost and lone.
2
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
3
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
4
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.