September 4
Bible Reading: Acts 15:12-21
Acts 15:17, “…who makes these things known from of old.”
Though it’s sometimes difficult to understand the things happening in our world or in our lives, we can always count on God to fulfill His promises. What He has spoken in the past will surely come to pass.
The salvation of Gentiles led to quite a controversy, which led to the Council of Jerusalem. Those leaders at the council met to make an important decision that would have dramatic and enduring consequences. Did the Gentiles need to be circumcised? That was the question, but underlying that question was the challenge the church faced in adjusting to its new Jewish-Gentile identity. The outreach to the Gentiles and their acceptance did not come easy. Though Jesus’ mandate was to bear witness to “the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8), it took God’s intervention to convince Peter to meet with Cornelius. Even then, Peter had to explain his actions in meeting with a Gentile to his fellow leaders. Having borne much fruit in their missionary effort to the Gentiles, Paul and Barnabas’ success and the opposition of the Judaizers then led to the need for the council to meet.
Peter and Paul and Barnabas recounted the working of God in the salvation of the Gentiles. The council took that into account. James cited Amos’ prophecy that foretold such things. “(God) makes these things known of old,” said the prophet (Acts 15:17). The salvation of the Gentiles was a new thing to the church, but it was not a new thing to God. Though a mystery to them, the prophets had spoken of such things (Acts 15:15). Jesus had too (John 10:16, 17:10). It was all according to the predetermined plan of God, and no amount of human reluctance, opposition, or questioning could work to stop Him from doing what He said He was going to do.
With the world seemingly spiraling out of control, it is good to keep in mind that the ship of humanity sails on a God-determined course. We may not understand some “new thing” that is happening in our world, but we know God is in control. God has fulfilled every promise that He’s ever made and will fulfill every one of those yet remaining. Our security and destiny lie not in the whims of mere men, but in the God who is the creator of all things. He made promises regarding the future salvation of the Gentiles, and so they came to pass. He’s made promises to you, you can count on Him to do what He has said.
“I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done.'” – Isaiah 46:9-10
ANCIENT WORDS
Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
Refrain:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ. [Refrain]
Songwriters: Lynn Deshazo
Ancient Words lyrics © Integrity Music
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