They were waiting

When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ (verses 6-8)

Read Acts 1:1-14

The Jewish people had been waiting for a long time for God to come and save them. They knew his word. They knew that he had promised to come as king and to once again make Israel the number one nation in the world.

They were both right and wrong in their expectation. God did come. But the new kingdom was one where all people were included. And this new kingdom had to be recognised by faith, not by sight.

We all have expectations of God and of what is to be brought under his rule. We all have needs and wants that we hope God will fulfil. And some of them he will. But some he will say no to. He truly does know what is best for us. In faith we eagerly expect God to work in our lives. In faith we accept that many times our will will not be done – and that that is for our lasting good.

Father almighty, help me to always acknowledge your loving rule in my life. Amen.

by Greg Graham, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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