Standing in God's Way

Daily Reading: Acts 11

Scripture Focus: Who was I that I could stand in God's way? (Acts 11.17)

Devotional Thought: God in a box... Sometimes, we think we have God figured out. Like a jack in the box, God will jump out and do what we say when we turn the crank. But, then he does something totally unexpected that just blows up our boxes. That happened to the church in Acts 11.

Peter had gone to the house of Cornelius to share the good news of Jesus with the Centurion and his household. He even ate with them! In those days, it was considered irreligious for a Jew to eat in the home of a Gentile. So, there were those in the Jewish church in Jerusalem who took it upon themselves to correct Peter. What they didn't realize, however, was that in correcting Peter, they were attempting to correct God, too, for God was the one who had sent Peter there in the first place. For his part, Peter recognized what was happening, and he subtly brought the church to see that they were standing in God's way.

Yes, we must always "earnestly contend for the faith." Yes, God has a plan to reach the entire world with the gospel of his Son, Jesus Christ. But, when we hold on to traditions, methods, and preferences, we may find ourselves standing in God's way. If we have tried to keep him neatly tucked away until we turn the crank, he may just need to blow up our boxes!

God desires to do a great work in and through you. He is on the move in the church and in the world. Let's make sure that we are not standing in his way!

Prayer: Father, forgive me when my vision is narrow and my prejudices prevent me from seeing the new things you are doing. Help me to be a willing partner in your mission to reach the lost. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 69.1-5

1 Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

4 More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore? 5 O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.