September 6, 2007

“’Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’” Acts 2:36.
In continuing his speech to the crowd that Pentecost morning, Peter gives this incredibly broad picture of God’s plan. He is proclaiming to “all Israel” – not just the audience present that day or even all Jews during his life time – from beginning of their history down through our present time (and beyond), that God made this Jesus, the Nazarene, the long-awaited Messiah. There was no need to wait any longer. God sent Him, He had done what He was sent to do, and now Jesus was lifted up by God, the Father, to be “Lord and Christ”, the Promised One, the long-awaited Messiah. Peter did a wonderful job to clearly and succinctly state this sweeping plan of God. And, as we have seen thus far in our walk through the book of Acts, and as we shall continue to see, Peter lives his life in harmony to this plan, as best that he can. He doesn’t just give the talk; he does all that he can to live with integrity the plan that God has laid out for him.
As I think about Peter, living his life in a consistent manner with the plan of God, I consider whether or not I, too, live with consistency the plan of God in my life. Unfortunately, I come up wanting. I see that there are inconsistencies. I see that, on occasion (probably more that I care to realize!), my plans run in conflict with God’s. The positive side of this is that I have plenty to identify and to work on.
We may have our intentions; we may have our plans, but God will have His way and His plan. As for Israel, they are still looking for the Messiah after 2000 years, and yet God has displayed His Messiah for the whole world to see. That was how their plans conflicted with God’s plan and activity. And Peter was clear in pointing out how God was going to have His way, no matter their plans. The same is true with you and me. What do you suppose is going to happen when our plans do not line up with His?
Take some time today to think about the plan(s) of your life. How do your plans line up with God’s? What are your intentions, and are they consistent with what God is doing in your world? What are you doing to make sure that you are seeking His plan and following through with it? It is important for each of us to not just think about how to think right, but to process just how it will affect our actions. How will you live out your life and walk out each day?