[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2024]
Picture the scene – you are calming playing your favourite musical instrument to an appreciative audience when suddenly a spear embeds itself in the wall beside you. Clearly, someone does not like your choice of music and a hasty change to the evening’s programme is in order.
Maybe you are enjoying your quiet time, reading the words of scripture and praying as you always do at the same time each day. Someone took offence and you are hauled up before the authorities. You know the consequences – a one-way trip to the nearest Lions tea house.
Or perhaps you are planning a trip to Spain but you have some local business to sort out first. In a moment of frustration you react with a few words that, in retrospect, might have been better not said. Now your destination has been changed and you will be going to Rome with a military escort.[1]
David, Daniel and Paul were three God-fearing men who fell foul of the authorities of their time. Experiences like theirs are not far from any of us. Last week, a friend of mine received the proverbial – and literal – knock on the door. He is the manager of an orphanage and for twenty years has provided a loving home for many children, some from their earliest years. Recently a few older children objected to being asked to help with the orphanage chores and went to the police, alleging exploitation of child labour. My friend was taken into custody, the orphanage closed and all the children taken from the only home they had known.
My days have passed, my plans are shattered.
Job 17 v11 [NIVUK]
A lapse of concentration, a burst tyre, a missed heartbeat, a lightning strike; these are just some examples of how quickly our plans can be disrupted. Are you ready to have your plans disrupted?
No doubt we are all familiar with the promise that God gave to his people through the prophet Jeremiah [2] but surely life would be so much more straightforward if we were able to know something of those plans ourselves.
But would it? If we had foreknowledge of some rough time ahead would we attempt to thwart it? Would we, like Jonah, attempt to run away? Perhaps ignorance is bliss; by trusting in God for our daily bread we can take confidence from the words of the Psalmist:
The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore.
Psalm 121 v7-8 [NIVUK]
In 1875 Fanny Crosby wrote some words that became familiar to several generations of those who believe that God does indeed have plans for our good.
All the way my Saviour leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
References:
[1] 1 Samuel 19 v10, Daniel 6 v16, Acts 26 v32
[2] Jeremiah 29 v11
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys