Acts 13:44-48 - Opposition as God's tool
Scripture:
Acts 13:44-48
44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.
45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.
46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
47 "For so the Lord has commanded us,
'I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,
THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.'"
THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.'"
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
NASU
NASU
Thoughts:
This passage is an example of God working through ironic circumstances. Enemies of the Lord think they are going to defeat His purpose, only to find their actions actually furthering His will! God certainly must have a sense of humor!
Here, for instance, the jealousy and opposition of these particular Jewish people (verse 45), leads to a harvest among the Gentiles (verse 48). Their attempts to discredit the gospel and to stop Paul and Barnabas' ministry, instead helps them to reach more people.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to see opposition as a tool in Your hands. When people and circumstances are against me and maybe even seem bent on my downfall, let me remember You are in command. And this very thing that to me seems bad, may be what You want to use to accomplish Your will.
Let me be a person of faith, seeing beyond my circumstances to see Your hand at work.
Amen
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