SUNDAY January 26, 2025
God’s Sovereign Will
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother....
Philemon 1
Notice, Paul was a prisoner, not of Rome, but of Christ Jesus who governed his life. Timothy, a young minister, was like a son to Paul. He became a comforting presence to the Apostle in Rome during his time of need.
Paul was a great man of God, so why did the Lord allow him to be imprisoned for two years? You would think God would allow him to be free and bless him with a long life. Later in life, Paul would be martyred. God is sovereign. It was His will and purposes that were being played out in Paul’s life. For one, while under house arrest, Paul was being used by God to lead many Roman soldiers to the Lord.
As a Christian, it is important to have a good understanding of God’s sovereign will for your life. Arthur W. Pink, author and pastor, wrote extensively on the subject. He said:
...so long as we are occupied with any other object than God Himself, there will be neither rest for the heart nor peace for the mind. But when we receive all that enters our lives as from His hand, then, no matter what may be our circumstances or surroundings—whether in a hovel, a prison-dungeon, or a martyr’s stake—we shall be enabled to say, “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places” (Psalm 16:6).
May God teach us to be prisoners of Christ. If we are not prisoners of the Lord, then, in reality, we are prisoners of Satan and of this world. Do not let your fleeting life be consumed by the things that will destroy you. Serve the Lord Jesus Christ! Be His prisoner!
Cheer up, Christian! Things are not left to chance: no blind fate rules the world. God hath purposes, and those purposes are fulfilled. God hath plans, and those plans are wise, and never can be dislocated.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
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