God Will Find a Way

 Acts 14-15           Psalm 93             Exodus 28-30

The early church journey as described in Acts 14 and 15 remind us that conflict, unwillingness to consider we might be wrong, anger and hatred are easy to stir up when our way of life is challenged, and that God permits us to go our own way. The costs of being obedient to God rather than pleasing people can be high, Paul is stoned and left for dead. The reminder that there are many tribulations ahead of entering the Kingdom of God. Through all that God finds ways to open doors into new people’s hearts and see them become believers.

When you remain faithful going to a new location does not mean that life will be any easier. Often those that opposed you before will find a way to follow you and bring their message of division and hatred with them. Our role is to continue to point to what God has done in our lives and the lives around us and allow God to do the work of bringing changed hearts. Note how even after much debate they had to hold on to some of the old ways in order to bring some satisfaction to all.

I always find the conflict between Paul and Barnabas interesting in that it is a struggle between seeing what someone once was and what they could be and an unwillingness to compromise to the point of division. We should always be reminded that the church as it struggles to be what God calls it to be will have to find ways to work through its differences and promote the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 93 reminds us that the Lord reigns and is clothed with majesty either by us or in spite of us. Nothing has been able to overwhelm the Lord and the holiness of his house will live forever. Sometimes we just need reminded.

The instructions given to Moses by God for the preparation of the priests and the Holy place they will serve are detailed in Exodus 28 to30. It is a reminder that what we set aside for God should come from the best we have to offer. There is a need to prepare and present before the Lord our offerings so that God can judge and bless them.

The place we go for worship should also be prepared for excellence from our very best. What is holy to the Lord should be holy to us as well. Set apart for God’s purposes.

Today’s reading challenge me to remain faithful in the face of adversity and to be prepared to offer up my best to God. Not because God needs it but because from God comes the blessings that provide those very things to us.