Acts 28:16-31The book of Acts ends at a very strange place. Paul is in Rome under house arrest. He spends two years in limbo, on the sidelines. Other than the people who visit him, and his guard, he sees no one. He spends his time witnessing to them, and writing some of his epistles. This dynamic leader is now taken off the scene, and one wonders what God is up to.
Why sideline such an important leader in the first century church? Part of the answer is that the Holy Spirit wanted to use others during this time, and it is always his prerogative to decide who serves, where and when. Another part is knowing the tremendous value of books like Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Paul was taken “off the field” so that he could focus on his writing ministry. You and I benefit from his apparent defeat.
Whenever we face discouraging changes in our situation, forcing us to choose plan B instead of the plan A we want, we need to remember that the sovereign LORD always knows what he is doing.
LORD, we trust in you. We surrender to your plan, even if that may mean scrapping our plans.
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