So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. — Acts 13:4-12

So this is an interesting situation. Saul, who was blinded on the road to Damascus, passes on this same affliction to someone else. Laughable right? And this ain't karma. It's just the declaration of God against those who seek to harm the name of God. Yet on the flip side, this became rather convincing proof for a pretty influential Roman leader, Sergius Paulus.

When I read stories like this, I am always reminded of the wisdom of Gamliel in Acts 5:38-39. He said this:

I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail, but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! — Acts 5:38-39

You know Gamliel is spot on. You either want to join with what God is doing, or you need to stay out of his way. Because his plan will always come to pass. And life is a lot more enjoyable when we participate in what God is doing. In this situation, I think it was pretty clear that Bar-Jesus was working against the plan and will of God. All Paul needed to do was insert himself appropriately.

Today do this. Be on the lookout for God's will. God is doing all kinds of incredible things. And then choose to participate in what God is doing. For when you insert yourself into his story, he literally writes his history through you.

ASK THIS: Where do you anticipate seeing God work in your life today?

DO THIS: Participate fully in God's story.

PRAY THIS: God, may I participate fully in your story today.

PLAY THIS: History — Bethel Music.
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