God Does Things Differently… Again

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Luke 21 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
5 And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, 6 “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”

7 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. 9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”

10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13 It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 16 But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Luke 21:5-19, NASB)


MAIN IDEA OF THE PASSAGE:
The gist of this passage is that Jesus is telling his disciples what is going to happen to signal in his kingdom.  There’s gunna be wars, earthquakes, plagues, famines and such; kind of sounds like reading the morning paper today!  But that’s not what caught my eye when reading this passage.  What really “struck me upside the head” was one word that seems to me to be misplaced… that word is… wait for it… NOT.  Just a little three letter word that changes everything and demonstrates the power and wisdom of God.  This “not” that I’m referring to is in verse 14, “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves…”  WHAT?  IS THIS A TYPO?  WERE THE TRANSLATORS OF THIS PASSAGE NIPPING AT THE SACRAMENTAL WINE WHEN TRANSLATING THIS?   Jesus is saying that all this persecution is going to come, and that we are NOT to prepare beforehand to defend ourselves!!! 


REFLECTIONS:
As I’ve mentioned in previous Companions in Christ devotionals, I sell medical equipment for a living.  One of the most basic tenants of good salesmanship is to be prepared.  Know your product or service, and be well prepared to explain the features and benefits of what you are offering to your customers.  I could not fathom the idea of going into a meeting with a prospective customer without making careful preparation well ahead of that meeting.  About a month ago, I was asked to come to our corporate offices to spend two days with our company executives to discuss everything going on in my 9-state region and give an account of the state of my territory.  There’s NO WAY I would go into this NOT preparing beforehand to give a full account of my actions, plans, and strategies for continued growth and success.  Well, once again, God does things differently (I think I’ve said this before, but it certainly bears repeating).  He says, in effect, “Don't fret about preparing to defend yourself; I’ll deal with that and give you the words and wisdom to deal with it in MY way.”  In preparation for my meeting with our management team, I spent 3 full days in preparation; but God says when I’m going to be brought before kings and governors (people with a lot more authority to do me harm than my boss at work) to NOT prepare to give an account of myself.  I sort of read this as God saying, “Get on with the business of your life, I’ve got your back.”


POINT OF ACTION:
So, where does all this leave us? For me, it leaves me in peace.  I know that God is going to allow a lot of negative stuff to cross my path, (wars, earthquakes, plagues, etc.).  But I also know that I don’t have to worry about these things.  God is still on the throne, He is still in control of the universe, and He Himself will give me the words to defend myself against the principalities and powers that are out there.  It’s very reassuring to know that the King of all creation has my back.


WHO AM I?
I’m Alan Wassel, kind of running out of pictures of myself, so here’s Jennifer and me with our son Philip from his wedding nearly two years ago!