Psalm 129; Acts 13:1-3

I want to know one thing. Why is it so hard to form good habits and so easy to let them disappear? I can't tell you how hard it was for me just now to open this blank page. But I have fiddled away a good part of the afternoon already, and so here I am, ready to get back on the wagon...I hope!

Psalm 129
Have you fallen under the plow? Can you imagine what it would feel like if you were lying in the dirt, and a plow ran over your back tearing your flesh along with the soil? This psalm compares just that to the persecution that Israel has suffered from her earliest days. It could also be applied to persecutions that believers of the past have endured and which believers in the present day continue to experience. And even beyond that, I don't think it's wrong to make application to any kind of affliction or suffering. 

So, getting back to the image of plowing. What is the reason for plowing? It's to tear up the hard soil and prepare it for planting. What does this tell us about how we, the "soil," should look at this experience?

1) We should accept it as from the Lord. The Lord must be allowing all this plowing because He has plans for the field of our lives. When our lives are turned over, it's time to plant seed. Now is the time to plant seeds of faith and courage and to reject those of anger, bitterness, or discouragement.

2) We should trust the Lord to help us. v. 4 tells us that He is good, and He will cut us free from the suffering.

3) We should wait for the Lord to finish His work. This psalmist assures us that God will judge Israel's enemies. Maybe His plan is different regarding our troubles, but rest assured, He DOES have a plan, and it's a perfect one. We can hear this blessing, "The Lord bless you; we bless you in the Lord's name." v. 8

Acts 13:1-3
Ok, I have to take a breath here and remember where we are! Acts is about the infant Church after Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended back to heaven. Many of the original 12 disciples are still alive and ministering, along with other believers. The Gospel is spreading rapidly particularly among the Gentiles, those outside the Jewish religion.

Acts 13 opens at the church at Antioch (where they were first called Christians) by mentioning some of the members. One interesting thing about these particular believers is that they came from different backgrounds and cultures showing us that this is God's pattern for the church. No room for prejudice here! They were busy in the Lord's work ministering and worshiping when God called Barnabas and Saul for a special work. God always chooses people who are faithful in the place He has put them. The lesson for us is that if we want God's guidance, we must be busy with what He has put before us, and then He will show us the next step.