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“"The Lord Will Always Prove to be Right"”

Thoughts for Today:

In Romans 9:3, Paul said: "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race." That's a pretty strong and surprising statement, but it also indicates Paul's concern for his own people -- the Jews. However, the ministry the Lord gave Paul was first to the Gentiles, and then to the Jews. (Acts 9:15: "But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.'") Getting this out of order led to a lot of problems for Paul.

In our passage today, Paul references one of those circumstances in which he got the order of his ministry out of sequence. And it led to the humbling experience of having to escape the city by being lowered in a basket. (Acts 9:23: "After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.")

Paul's experience sounds a lot like some of my own. On occasion I have been guilty of saying to the Lord, "I know you've called me to this area of ministry, but look at how much good I can do over there -- I've got so much experience and a real heart for the people." Unfortunately, it never quite works out according to my plan. In fact, in most cases it becomes an unmitigated disaster and I end up getting lowered in my own symbolic "basket" in order to escape harm to myself or other people. Paul learned by experience, as we will also, that over time the Lord will always prove to be right. Then we can say, "I might not have understood at the time, but now I can see Your incredible wisdom. Thank you Lord for protecting me!"

Questions to Ponder:

Is there an area of your ministry that is yours rather than the Lord's? Will you trust Him? Will you return to the Lord's plan?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.