In Acts 13, we find the story of Barnabas and Saul and a Jewish sorcerer, named Bar-Jesus. This sorcerer had attached himself to the governor of the region, who Scripture tells us “was an intelligent man”. The governor had invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him as he is wanting to hear the word of God. The sorcerer interfered, telling the governor not to pay attention to what they have to say, for he was trying to prevent the governor from becoming a believer.
Saul, realizing what was being done, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed the sorcerer:
“You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” (verse 13, NLT)
This is what occurs next:
“When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.” (verse 12, NLT)
The very thing the sorcerer was trying to keep from happening, happened anyway! And he also lost his sight!
This incident, recorded in Scripture, should teach us one thing –
God’s plans cannot, and will not, be thwarted.
“For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27 NIV)
Interesting words used here:
Thwart ”“ to be impossible, to dissolve, to violate a covenant, to annul.
Turn it back ”“ reverse the direction.
(definitions from the Old Testament Lexical Aids from the Key Word Study Bible)
God has a plan. His plan cannot be rendered impossible. He will not violate His Word. He will never annul His plan. His plan is in place and He will not reverse direction. His plan unfolds in our lives as He wills.
May we remember this each day:
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”
(Job 42:2 NIV).
This has been an edited post from 2012.
Today I am joining … Destination Inspiration and Tune In Thursday .
Yes!! Great encouragement to remind us that God is faithful in doing what He wills! What peace this brings to a heart that if God clearly led you to something, just trust that He will accomplish His plans in our life!! #destinationinspiration linkup
At times, I think we lose sight of this when things do not go according to our own plans. Grateful He holds the plan and will accomplish it all. Blessings!
I’m thankful that we can’t thwart God’s plans (and I’m sure I’ve tried along the way, knowingly or not! ha).