God's got it covered

It may seem a strange part of the Bible to go to in times of difficulty, but the most-forgotten section of Acts 1-4 provides wonderful comfort when things go “wrong”, both personally and globally.

So here’s what Acts 1 v 12-26 has to say about the Boston Bombings, the Texas explosion, civil unrest in Bahrain and the difficulties and distresses of our own lives. Acts 1 v 12-26—the bit between the ascension and coming of the Spirit, where the first Christians gather in a room, Peter makes a speech, and they pray and choose a twelfth apostle to replace the Christ-betraying Judas. Acts 1 v 12-26, which is often skipped over because of the awe-inspiring events either side of it, and yet which reminds us that, whatever happens:

God’s good plan has this covered.

He has everything covered.

There are many terrible atrocities committed in the world each day. Many deeply painful incidents in our lives. But none of these are as horrific as the betrayal of the Son of God by a human. Judas sold the divine Creator for 30 bits of created metal. And yet “the Scripture had to be fulfilled … concerning Judas” (v 16). The worst disaster of all was in fact part of God’s good plan, to take His Son to the cross to die for mankind. The worst act ever was used to bring about the best act ever. Whatever happens in and around our lives, we can look at God using Judas’ betrayal as part of His plan, His good plan, and know that He is working for our good, just as He promises (Romans 8 v 28). God’s good plan brings good out of bad.

And God’s good plan includes justice. Judas didn’t end up splattered in a field; he left his ministry not to hang himself, but beyond that “to go where he belongs” (Acts 1 v 25). Judas killed himself, but he did not get away with what he’d done.

We all hope that the perpetrators of injustice will be caught but sometimes they are not. And so hell is good news—it is where justice is done to those whose slate has not been wiped clean by the punishment Jesus took on the cross. God’s judgment means when faced with injustice, we don’t need to seek revenge or to despair – we are free to get on, move on, and even to love our enemies.

Finally, God’s good plan answers our doubts. There can be few Christians who, when faced with suffering or terror, haven’t thought: “Can Jesus really be King? Is there really a God?” And so God gave us… the New Testament! He gave us the written testimony of men who were each “a witness … of his resurrection” (v 22). That’s why there needed to be enough apostles. To assure us that the resurrection really happened, that Jesus is really King, that death is truly defeated. Until Christ returns, each week in this world will bring bad news. This week seems to have brought more than most. The wonder of the gospel is that we can say: God’s good plan has this covered. He is working for good in this. He will bring justice for this. His Son did rise despite this. Thank God.