Reading
SAA Notes
Luke could have ended with Paul’s execution. He didn’t. The thought Luke wants us to see is that Rome couldn’t stop the proclamation of the Gospel, couldn’t stop Jesus and His kingdom coming. Take heart!
SJA Notes
* Faithful God, thank You for Your faithfulness to us Your people throughout all the generations, as declared in Your word.
“And so we came to Rome.”
It has been a long and winding road for Paul and his companions to get to Rome.
From our perspective, frail and limited, it can seem like plans were frustrated at almost every turn.
Paul didn’t put his trust in plans made by himself or other humans.
Paul put his trust in GOD ALMIGHTY.
God does not think as we do, God is not limited in perspective (and other ways) as we are.
God wants us to trust in Him. Trust and obey.
The nature of this life, the frustration of humanity at every point, the twisting events, the consequences of decisions and the suffering that comes with this world – These do not fray at God’s purposes.
God wants us to trust in Him, for the road we walk, for the situations we find ourselves in.
Our God works His purposes, for our good, through all of life. Through the quiet times, through the loud. Through the horrific events and the joyous occasions. Through sorrow and loneliness and loss, through joy and fellowship and life.
Paul trusted in this God.
Do we do the same?
* Holy God,
May our eyes be open today to see You.
May our ears be unblocked to hear You.
May our hearts be open to Your leading, our wills submitting under Your will.
May we see Jesus today!
Amen.