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Our Plans

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 16, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 62.

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Our Plans

By J. S. Rouse

J. S. ROUSE
“I WOULD ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” What a grand testimony from a man who had passed through as many trials and difficulties as had the apostle Paul!
We build many castles in this life, but more air castles than real ones. How many times we have made very definite plans for ourselves to follow, and have felt very much gratified at the thought of seeing such plans carried out. But, lo, something happens to us, and our plans go to pieces, just as did the plans of the great apostle.
Paul planned to go to Rome, but not in chains, as he finally did. He says, however, that those chains were a pass into the palaces of kings, and thus he enjoyed the privilege of preaching Jesus to the rulers of the nations. Again, Paul planned to go to Damascus, but not in blindness. He started to carry out this plan with great pomp, having with him his servants, and papers from the priests and rulers at Jerusalem which gave him power to bind all who believed on the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul and his servants were marching toward Damascus, expecting soon to carry out their plans, when suddenly there shone a bright light, and the voice of Jesus was heard. Right there, very suddenly, the plans of the apostle were changed. He was blind, but ready to work in harmony with plans which God had for him.
Instead of going to Ananias to bind him, he went to ask for prayer. At the intercession of Ananias, Paul's sight was restored. He remained in Damascus to be taught the gospel, received the Spirit of God, and became a great power in carrying the gospel to the Gentiles. What a blessing to Paul and the gospel that his plans did not carry!
Let us so relate ourselves to God that when the time comes for us to lay off the yoke, we can say, as did the apostle Paul, “I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.”
Clinton, Mo.