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Day Seven

Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas.  I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vainAs for those who were held in high esteem-whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism-they added nothing to my message.  On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.

Galatians 2:1-2,6-7 NIV

 

Some of us are big planners. We like making resolutions and goals at the dawn of each new year. Some of us think about making some resolutions but never stop long enough to process through any.  And some of us live day by day; not really thinking ahead much. But God. God is a BIG planner. God has big plans that may or may not seem very big at first. But He is always moving and orchestrating things around us according to HIS BIG plan. God’s calling of Paul to be God’s ambassador to the Jews included a radical and personal Damascus road encounter. God’s calling of Peter to the Gentiles involved years of walking behind and beside Christ as his Rabbi and teacher. The common denominator in both patriarchs is an encounter with Christ and a season of preparation. Many of the patriarchs of our faith had seasons of preparation. Moses had a University of the Desert, Joseph had a series of seemingly unfortunate events, and Daniel had an unrivaled prayer life.

Timothy Keller says there are two purposes to prayer: to put the world right (thy kingdom come) and to align our hearts with God (thy will be done). Paul and Peter had hearts aligned with God; Paul always remaining steadfast to the truth and centrality of the gospel and Peter radically sold-out for the gospel.

Isaiah 45:3 says, “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name”.  Are you quick to rush through prayer with a laundry list of needs and desires?  Or are you willing to stop and listen to the God of BIG plans? God may be preparing your heart for something BIG. Resolve to spend more time asking the Lord, who summons you by name, to give you hidden treasures.