Bumps In the Road
Opening Prayer
Sovereign Lord, may Your Word teach me what I need to know in order to serve You faithfully this day.
Read ROMANS 15:23-33
[23] But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, [24] I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. [25] Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. [26] For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. [27] They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. [28] So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. [29] I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. [30] I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. [31] Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, [32] so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. [33] The God of peace be with you all. Amen. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What are Paul's next missionary plans?“God’s servants should encounter no—or at worst, minimal—opposition while going about their ministry. They should fly first class—or at worst, business class—and they should stay comfortably when they get there. God, for his part, should ensure that the man of God’s way is smoothed before him.”
I’ve heard words scarily close to these spoken by well-meaning and, I trust, God-fearing evangelists. Paul, I’m certain, would have laughed them out of their Learjets.
As he unfolds his plans for the future, which include a stop-off in Rome to visit these dear brothers and sisters, it’s clear there’s no room there for such “big man” thinking. Having been hindered and held back in the past, he can foresee plenty of problems ahead. He doesn’t, however, foresee the great trouble that is actually coming his way, and which we read about in Acts. His trip will involve beatings, trials and imprisonment, testing journeys and a shipwreck. He will get to Rome, but not on his own terms. There will be some big “bumps in the road” along the way.
Apply
Bring to God a “bump in the road” that you fear. Seek his assurance that whatever comes, God is in control.
Closing prayer
Lord God, I know that You control all things by Your power, even the “bumps in the road” ahead for me.
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