Let God Turn Crisis, Not Me
Scripture Passage: Acts 18:12-23 (NASB)
12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man is inciting the people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or vicious, unscrupulous act, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about teaching and persons and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 But they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. And yet Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.
18 Now Paul, when he had remained many days longer, took leave of the brothers and sisters and sailed away to Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. Paul first had his hair cut at Cenchrea, for he was keeping a vow. 19 They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them and said, “I will return to you again if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
22 When he had landed in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.
23 And after spending some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
SUMMARY
While Paul is in Corinth, the Jews bring Paul to Gallio, the Roman proconsul of Achaia, and try to get Paul in trouble by accusing him of “inciting” people to worship God contrary to Jewish law. But before Paul can even utter a word, Achaia announces that he will not get involved, calling it a matter of Jewish law and not a crime. Paul is free to continue his ministry and continues on to Syria with Priscilla and Aquilla. Paul then moves on to Ephesus, where he debates with the Jews in their synagogue. Paul subsequently continues on to Jerusalem, and then to Antioch, Galatia and Phrygia, “strengthening all the disciples.”
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
In this passage, God shows how He can use us for His glory when we simply trust His plan instead of trying to force things to happen through our own actions. Acts is full of these examples, but this passage is a particularly powerful reminder. Had Paul tried to force the issue, perhaps Achaia would have accused Paul of disturbing the peace. But God intervenes before Paul can even say a word, and moves Achaia to say that he has nothing to do with this. As a result, Paul is now free to preach the gospel throughout the Roman empire.
APPLICATION
If I were in Paul’s shoes, I probably couldn’t have helped myself. I would have demanded a chance to go and argue my case, if for no other reason than to try to preserve my own neck. Even though that was the worst possible thing I could have done in that situation. Over and over again, especially during the pandemic, I’ve been reminded that I can’t force things to happen how I want. Not with my family, my relationships, and certainly not with my spiritual life. Yet when I give up my desires and simply do what God tells me to do, even in minor ways, God has rewarded my obedience a thousand times over.
This past year, I’ve dealt with family health issues, issues of discipline with my son, and other relationships issues. Each time I’ve tried to handle it my way, and each time my way has resulted in nothing. Only when I give up and entrust God has the situation improved. Instead of trying to control the situation around me, I should simply trust God and focus on improving my knowledge and understanding of Him and His plan.
PRAYER
Lord, I thank You for Your generous spirit. No matter how many times I try to go my own way, You are waiting for me. You wait for me to fail and to turn to You. And when I finally do, for some unfathomable reason You don’t reject me. Instead You again tell me – just follow Me, trust Me, and all will be right. Please instill greater faith and trust in me. Please help me to be like Paul – simply trusting in Your goodness and plan, and focusing on obedience above all else. Help me Lord to be Your shining light, to display Your love and goodness to the world. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
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