01.08 | The Mole
Acts 5:17-6:7
‘So in the present case 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!” So they took his advice’
Acts 5:38-39
Am I in the hands of people, or in the hands of God?
When we ask this question, we’re usually wrestling with a feeling that most of us will encounter at some point in our lives. It happens when we feel like our destiny has been taken out of our own hands in some way, and has been handed over to others. When the medical team are making a decision about your future. When the educational team are working on a learning plan. When your manager is making decisions about your career direction. When your parents moved house and you didn’t want to go.
These moments can feel vulnerable. And, if your level of trust in those making the decisions is low, those feelings of disempowerment can feel particularly strong.
Today we have this story where the apostles are arrested. The Sadducees, again, are offended, and so they lock them up. The apostles lives, it feels, have been put into the hands of the Sanhedrin. And we remember how this went for Jesus some weeks before.
Are they in the hands of people, or of God?
The following day, we find them being tried before this Sanhedrin, accused and with the majority calling for their execution.
Are they in the hands of people, or of God?
In prison, God sends the angel in the night, leading them out. The scene the following day, of the apostles right back in the temple courts, proclaiming the Lordship of the risen Jesus, makes their exasperation almost comedic.
Before the Sanhedrin, while everything looks like it is heading toward condemnation and execution, in steps Gamaliel.
Gamaliel is an interesting, and largely background, character the New Testament. We know that he was a Pharisee, and that he was well-respected. He is the same Pharisee who discipled Paul, before his conversion.1 He makes his case, summarising it with the following words:
If this plan is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.
Gamaliel is an unexpected ally in an unexpected place—used for the purposes of God in the midst of the Sanhedrin, like a mole in a spy movie. We don’t know if we’re meant to like him or not, or if he will stand beside us in eternity or not; but we do know this: his intervention—in the midst of this council of corruption—continued the purposes of God.
Take heart. Bring your situation to the Father in prayer. He is attentive to your every need and He moves in response to the requests of His people. Neither Sanhedrin nor Pharisees nor all the powers of Rome could thwart the outworking of the plans of God as He established His Church and increased His reign. Whether by angels or circumstance or a softening of the hearts or a well-placed mole for the Kingdom, God has His way.
Bring your situation in prayer, bringing your situation under the alignment of His will. For the purposes of God cannot be overthrown.
And you, my friends, are in the hands of God.
Reflect:
What situation feels beyond my control at the moment?
Hand it to the Lord in prayer, asking Him to accomplish His purposes.
Pray:
Father,
Am I in your hand?
I worry sometimes that I am not;
That you are looking the other way,
Or annoyed with me,
Or have more important things to do.
I worry sometimes that my life
Is led more by the whims of people,
Than the strong hand of my God.
But Father,
I bring my life again today
Under alignment to your will.
Would you establish me greatly in your purposes,
Opening locked doors and interrupting committees.
And Father, as I walk this way with you,
Help me to receive all outcomes in this path
With unshakeable joy,
Unto the fulfilment of my earthly assignment
And the honour of your Name.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Old Testament:
For those also reading the Old Testament this year, your additional readings are here:
Jeremiah 29-30 | Psalm 93
Acts 22:3