Today’s Reading: Job 3; Job 4; Acts 8; Acts 9
Scripture: Acts 8:1, 3-4
1 ...On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem... 3 ...Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went...
Observation: Saul begins his rampage against the church, literally destroying it. (Notice that he had learned the Christians' strategy of meeting house to house and he goes to these house meetings and arrests the Christians.) But God uses even this terrible act to further spread the Gospel as we see in verse 4. The preaching of the word gained a wider distribution because of the persecution that forced the Christians to flee for their lives.
Application: God uses everything, even bad things, to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Kingdom of God. (Some folks think that He actually makes the bad stuff happen so that good will come of it, but I don't agree. This is one of those discussions that could get real deep, but suffice it to say, bad actions are the responsibility of those who do them, not of God. But God does find ways to bring some good through them nonetheless.)
Bottom line: When bad things happen, look up to see what amazing ways our creative and positive God will bring some good through them.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that though all things are not good, "all things work together for the good of those who are called to your purpose in Jesus." You are so good to take even the most difficult situations and demonstrate Your love and power. Help me to see it, and to cooperate with it. Work Your great will and purpose in and through my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
1 comment:
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