61. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. His plans failed, now for him, as it had been said, to trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.

17 November 2020

Acts 26

Paul Before Agrippa

31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”

Saul of Tarsus was thoroughly trained in the law and extremely zealous for Jewish traditions.

His plans failed. Unexpected turn of events. Saul planned to be on the “winning team”, yet he ended up as Apostle Paul, suffering for Christ.

Here's something I wrote 29 August 2017.

“First, Saul as a Pharisee must have been in good favor with the Jewish leaders, having been a frontrunner persecuting the early Christians.

Second, after becoming a follower of the Lord Jesus, he was confrontational with the Jews.

Third, he was warned: Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” (Acts 21:11)

Fourth, he could have been already released: Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:32).

The ways of Apostle Paul put nobody but himself in jeopardy. Unwise. No, not unwise, they were not the ways of Apostle Paul, they were the ways of God. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8). Apostle Paul would later declare:  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8).

“Lord, there are things that I encounter that make no sense, and it seems unwise not to depend on the dictate of my instinct. There are difficult things as if I am going in the dark. Yet, to trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark, that is faith - Charles Spurgeon. Lord, as the vigor of my youth is gone, bless me with faith, childlike faith, bless me with Your wisdom, wisdom in my gray hair, that I be steadfast. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.””

Saul of Tarsus was sure of himself: If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;  as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. (Philippians 3:4-6)

Until the unexpected turn of events: But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8)

As for me, in my thoughts, it would be simple. Have a stable job, send children to school, work for retirement and enjoy life. Earn things just by hard work. Nothing wrong.

Wrong. 

Ecclesiastes 12

13 Now all has been heard;

    here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments,

    for this is the duty of all mankind.

My plans failed. Unexpected turn of events.

My prayer.

Lord, do not cast me away when I am old;

    do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

Though you have made me see troubles,

    many and bitter,

    you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

    you will again bring me up.

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

    of your saving acts all day long—

    though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;

    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

Even when I am old and gray,

    do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

As for me, I will always have hope;

    I will praise you more and more. (Psalm 71:9, 20, 15-16, 18, 14) Amen.

My children's children will one day say, wala ka sa Lolo ko; his plans failed, now for him, as it had been said, to trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.

I have put my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

May you be blessed. Amen.

Maraming salamat.