Good morning, friends.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 4:27, “For truly against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together.”
You are no doubt familiar with the phrase, “Politics make strange bedfellows,” which speaks to the power that political interests have to draw together people who might otherwise have little to do with one another. This saying owes its origin to the brilliance of William Shakespeare and his play, The Tempest. In the play, a mighty tempest has caused a shipwreck on a remote island. As the survivors seek refuge, one named Trinculo seeks shelter from the storm and happens upon Caliban, an oddly-formed native who is terrified. To find cover, Trinculo must lie under the gaberdine, or cloak, of Caliban, and in doing so, utters, “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.” Whether Shakespeare meant “unknown” or “odd,” or both, by his use of “strange” is open for debate, but the message is clear. Certain circumstances can produce unexpected alliances. As Peter reminded his listeners of the primary antagonists of Jesus, his list casts a broad shadow that reaches from the low to the very high. But these players are by no means strangers to one another. Each has or has had qualms with the others.
But that did not prevent God from orchestrating their cooperation to accomplish His greatest work. Far from the crusade of one traitor or the random acts of an unchecked government, these people were expressly chosen to bring God His greatest glory through the worst parts of each of them. Cowardice, jealousy, hatred and much more were directed by God to bring about the salvation of mankind. The strangest of bedfellows producing the pinnacle of history. And so, could you now look at what is swirling around you with eyes that are searching for God’s hand at work? Can you suppose that God intends to marry you with others outside your sphere to produce something from outside this world? Will you consider that whatever is happening to you is not simply about you, but is your piece of the menagerie that was planned before time began? It may sound strange, or odd, or unknown, but you know the One who knows, so what more is required?
As we seek Him today, let God become a little less unknown to you, so He can use what is unknown to make you more like His Son.
Have a beautiful Monday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
