THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 18:18-28
“He promised, ‘I will come back if it is God’s will.'” (Acts 18:21)
As a Jesus follower, I can trust the Lord to guide me.
The Lord knows things that I don’t, and He has His plans for me as well.
I have my own thoughts and plans, but they are not certain, nor always the best.
Like Paul, I can have my hopes, and even make promises.
But my plans are always contingent on the Lord’s plans for me.
This is not just something to admit, it is something to be encouraged by.
Do I trust that the Lord’s plans overall are better than my own?
That what the Lord does through me and my circumstances is ‘very good’.
The problem is that what is good for the kingdom is not always good for me.
Paul eventually ends up in prison in Rome, and dying there.
This is not good for Paul, but it is good for the kingdom.
“What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12)
“Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)
In the end I can trust God’s will for me, and what He will do through my life.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, if it is Your will, I will do the things I’ve planned for today. Help me to trust that if it doesn’t work out that way, You have something better in mind.