The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills. Deuteronomy 8:7 

Barnabas and Paul shouted to the crowds: “God has not left himself without a witness in doing good --  giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” Acts 14:17

Interesting account in Acts 14. First, Paul and Barnabas are doing great things, like healing people, and the crowd wants to worship them. They call them by the names of the Roman gods, Hermes and Zeus. This greatly upsets Paul – it is God, not people, who are accomplishing these things. Then, by verse 19, others have arrived, and Paul ends up being stoned.

In between, in verse 17, we hear what they say to the crowd. They state that they are not gods. Rather, It is obvious that God is the one with the power here. This is witnessed to by all the things that are seen around, all the things that are good. There is rain sent from heaven. There are good growing seasons with plenty of fruit. The people have plenty of food to fill them. Finally, the people’s hearts are filled with joy.

We too can look around at all that is good in our world. Yes, there is drought and famine, floods and storms. We then can look at the message to the people in Deuteronomy. They have been traveling for years, through wilderness with limited water and limited food supplies Now they are getting to their goal – the good land that God intends for them. Just like God intends for all, springs and water supplies, a world that God created and called good.   

Lord who is with is on our journeys, forgive us for doubting when we don’t see immediate results. Wise Father, we are filled with desires, but you know our true needs. Teach us to trust your all-sufficient grace. Lead us into a mature and abundant life in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party