March 1 | Luke 9:21-22

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DAILY READING

Luke 9:21-22

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REFLECTION

God's Plan

by Dave Thompson 

The first line of the passage states: "Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone." (v. 21) We have to go up a few verses to see what Jesus was warning them about. We see the passage Terry Starr worked with for her February 28 devotional. We see the not so sharp disciples shooting off answers that were not what Jesus was looking for. They began with "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others say one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life..." But Jesus clarified His question to "But what about you?" He asked, "who do you say I am?" at this Peter spoke up with "God's Messiah." (v. 18-20) In another place in the scriptures, Peter said, "You are the Messiah, Son of the living God." (Matt. 16:13-20)

So my question to you is why? Why did He want that identification hidden? I am not sure. Possibly it was because the people said things like John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the long ago prophets. Everyone but the Pharisees could understand that, but saying that He was the Messiah, the Son of the living God, might have put things into action earlier than was wanted. You see God has a plan. Jesus knew what it was and He knew it wasn't His time just yet.

As usual, it reminds me of a story. My daughter, Cathy, went to the hospital for a relatively minor procedure when she was eight years old. All was seemingly going well when a nurse came to the waiting room and called our names. There was no alarm yet, but then she spoke and told us that the anesthesia went terribly wrong. She asked us to come to the recovery area and try calling her name. We did and even shook her. The nurse went on to say that she was without oxygen to her brain for nearly five minutes. The tears started flowing as these words sunk in. My loving, bright daughter was in a coma. We sat in that hospital for a number of days without any change. But then my uncle, that I have spoken about before, prayed for a miraculous healing. This was the fourth night. People were praying all over the U.S, but we had begun to lose hope as the days passed, but then my Uncle Dave prayed! It was the morning of the fifth day that miraculously, she woke up and spoke clearly to us. We had her read books to us. Praise God, my little girl was back.

Why did God allow my daughter, my church, folks around the U.S. and us to wait an excruciating four and a half days? It was to show His power and His timing (Plan) for everyone involved, and for all she has touched in her life since (she is now 50 years old). God is sovereign and as I said last week in another devotional, He is an AMAZING God.

Why did God have a man blind since birth meet Jesus on the road and he asked Him for healing. He was 36 years old at the time. After Jesus healed him, His disciples asked what he had done or his parents had done to produce 36 years of blindness. Jesus responded that it was to fulfill His purpose; and nothing else. I certainly don't understand 36 years of blindness, but God does. In the good and the bad times, He has a plan and He will give you the strength to work through it. His Word says that He will give us nothing more than we can stand. (1 Cor. 10:13) I have patterned my life on that and many other promises. It has always gotten me through my 70+ years.

Prayer

Dear God, I am glad it worked out for my daughter, but I know that the story doesn't always end that way. Give a special blessing to those struggling with loss. Be with all of us as we travel this world. You have a plan for each of us and it is good!

Amen and Amen!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE THOMPSON

I am the administrator of the Daily Worship Blog. My wife, Carla, and I have been attending UALC for seven years at the 9 o'clock service at Mill Run. We have two children, Catherine and Aaron. I have been a Christian for 53 years and am thankful that my Savior has given me two spiritual gifts that have carried me both spiritually and vocationally all my life: they are teaching and administration. I look forward to spending many years here at UALC to serve my Lord and Savior.

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