He Allowed All The Nations to Go Their Own Way…

11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the form of men! ” 12 And they started to call Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the main speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gates. He, with the crowds, intended to offer sacrifice.  14 The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Men! Why are you doing these things? We are men also, with the same nature as you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In past generations He allowed all the nations to go their own way, 17 although He did not leave Himself without a witness, since He did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and satisfying your hearts with food and happiness.” 18 Even though they said these things, they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.  (Acts 14:11-18 HCSB)

This scripture parallels the day we are living in. The similarities are actually pretty obvious. The first parallel has to do with the adulation of the crowd. Paul and Barnabas were very clearly uncomfortable with the attention they were getting from people who thought they were gods. They were even referring to them as Zeus and Hermes. To their credit, Paul and Barnabas wanted nothing to do with it. They even told them they were “men also, with the same nature as you…” My point is this, humankind seems to have an emotional need to elevate personalities to a place of honor. We do it with movie stars, singers, politicians, and, even preachers.

The second parallel has to do with nations going their own way. This is not a modern phenomena, even though it does apply to current events. The path of God’s righteousness was revealed to the world many years ago. It is not a mystery. People have been avoiding God’s plan and creating their own ways for many millennia. Nothing is new about it.

The third, and final parallel is that God will never be without a remnant who will uphold and declare His righteous ways. The writer says, “He did not leave Himself without a witness, since He did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and satisfying your hearts with food and happiness.” God will bless His remnant with abundance even in the most horrible of conditions. In America, it certainly feels that His remnant are few and far between. In a world that seems to be spinning out of control, He has a people strategically placed who will represent Him, even in the most reprehensible of times. He will bless, “by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and satisfying your hearts with food and happiness.”

Remember, our hope is in Him! He, along with His remnant will prevail!

PRAYER: Father, I want to be counted in the number who will represent You well in these last days which will usher in the second coming of Your son. Help me be faithful to You, to walk in godly fruitfulness and satisfaction. Amen.