But I Don't Like it...

Acts 8:1-4 (Click on reference to read text)

In Acts 1:8 the Lord gave the early church a charge, a purpose and a promise: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."  Sounds great right?  Little did they know that they would be scattered throughout the regions because of great persecution.

We all know that when God calls us to do something, He will give us everything we need to accomplish that purpose (2 Peter 1:3, Psalm 119:105, Acts 17:25).  But what if it works out differently than we thought?  What if we don't like the way God goes about it?  The disciples and apostles were being faithful to preach the gospel in Jerusalem.  However, great persecution broke out, their homes were broken into and they were dragged off to prison.  Were they experiencing hardship because they were being disobedient?  No!  But it forced them to leave and scatter.

This scenario was probably not how they imagined the Gospel going forth to the remotest parts of the earth... through stonings, imprisonment and martydom.  However, that is the key: the Gospel still went forth.  Acts 8 actually says, "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (vs. 4). 

God may call you to do things and you may not always like the way it turns out, or the way He accomplishes His purpose.  Like Moses and Abraham, and many other "Heroes of the Faith", you may never actually see the fruition of that call, but nevertheless you played an important part if you obeyed the voice of God (Hebrews 11:13, 39-40). 

Acts 8 began with the stoning of the great servant of God, Stephen.  He never saw the church preach the Gospel to the remotest parts of the earth.  He died at the cusp of God moving.  Yet 2000 years later we see that he played a vital role in fulfilling that purpose and no believer would ever count his life worthless.

Follwer of Jesus, take heart.  Sometimes things on this side of Heaven do not make sense.  Sometimes we feel like death is premature.  Sometimes we don't see the promises of God fulfilled and we begin to doubt His call.  Don't.  Stop doubting.  He is always working and accomplishing His purposes, even when it doesn't make sense to us (Isaiah 46:9-10). 

If you are struggling with this truth, I invite you to pray the words the conflicted father spoke to Jesus in Mark 9, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief."