PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 20:25-38
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace…” (Acts 20:32)
As a parent, I want so much to protect my children.
I know that after they leave home, they will face challenges and struggles.
There are savage wolves, and a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
But there comes a point when it is out of our hands, when they go out on their own.
And like Paul, we must commit them to God and to the assurance of grace.
Paul is leaving these young believers, and he knows it will be hard.
But God’s grace is sufficient for them, it will carry them through their days.
Since Jesus “bought them with his own blood”, he loves them more than we do.
The Lord entrusts his sheep to us, but he never lets them go.
Our hands are limited, but his hands are unlimited.
“No one will snatch (my sheep) out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
When my hands can’t hold or help the ones I love, I know his hands surround them.
As a Jesus follower, I am learning to I commit the sheep I love to Jesus and his grace.
PRAYER
Lord, it is scary to let go of the ones you love. Remind me that you love them even more than I do, and your love is stronger than savage wolves and roaring lions. I commit them to you, and to your grace!
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Paul lived and served by this and we/I can do no better. To often we serve ourselves – we travel and vacation for our own pleasure – but really that would be much to narrow and selfish. We have opportunity to interact with others wherever we go and serve. I need to be faithful, remembering that I also am week and need help. The HS equips and continues to equip if I let him – so R&R time is rebuilding time as well as appreciation time – opening my eyes and helping me to reflect – so that I might serve – to do the work God calls me to and the opportunities He gives me to serve! I pray too that I may have new believers as a result of my work even if I don’t know about it – I pray I may have a contribution of sorts!
Proclaiming the Good news by deeds and words. God uses His servants to plant and water, but it is He who gives the increase. He is in charge and He will enfold His own. That He has promised. Commit all my ways to the Lord and prayerfully go onward relying upon His strengthening powers to do His will wherever we are planted. And be encouragers, blessing one another as we all serve our risen Saviour.
God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
may the Shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.