26 Aug Pray, Prepare, and Trust God’s Plan
Acts 1:12–26
What do we do when we know God has called us to something, but we are not yet sure what comes next?
Acts 1:12–26 gives us a picture of the disciples living in that very moment. Jesus had ascended into heaven. He had given them the mission of being His witnesses to the ends of the earth. But the Holy Spirit had not yet come at Pentecost.
Instead of rushing ahead, the disciples prayed, trusted God’s Word, prepared for what was ahead, and waited for God to work.
Their example teaches us an important lesson: sometimes we need to halt for the gospel and ask, “Lord, what is Your plan?”
Pray Before You Move
After Jesus ascended, the disciples returned to Jerusalem just as He had instructed them.
Acts 1:14 tells us they were “with one accord… devoting themselves to prayer.”
They knew the mission, but they also knew they needed God’s power and direction.
Our tendency is often to act first and pray later. We develop our plans, make our decisions, and then ask God to bless what we have already decided.
The disciples show us another way.
Before moving forward, pray.
Before making the decision, pray.
Before beginning the ministry, pray.
Prayer reminds us that God’s work must be accomplished in God’s way and through God’s power.
United Around Christ
Something else was happening while the disciples prayed—they were together.
The group included the apostles, women who had followed Jesus, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. These were different people with different backgrounds, but they were united around one Savior and one mission.
Gospel-centered unity does not require everyone to have the same personality, preferences, or opinions. Our unity comes from belonging to Jesus Christ.
A healthy church recognizes that we need one another. We pray together, serve together, encourage one another, and pursue God’s mission together.
Trust God’s Word
Peter eventually stood among approximately 120 believers and addressed the painful subject of Judas.
Judas had betrayed Jesus, and his actions had left a vacancy among the Twelve.
Yet Peter’s response is significant. He turns to Scripture.
Even when circumstances were confusing and painful, God’s Word remained trustworthy.
We need the same confidence today. When life does not make sense, we do not have to abandon hope or allow our circumstances to determine what we believe.
God has spoken.
His Word remains true even when we do not understand what He is doing.
Failure Cannot Defeat God’s Plan
The betrayal of Judas was tragic. Human sin had devastating consequences.
But Judas’ failure did not stop God’s mission.
This does not minimize the seriousness of sin. Rather, it magnifies the sovereignty of God. Human failure cannot overthrow His purposes.
We see this most clearly at the cross. Sinful people rejected and crucified Jesus, yet through the cross God accomplished His plan of redemption. Christ died for sinners and rose victorious over death.
When something falls apart, we can be tempted to believe God’s plan has failed.
Acts reminds us: God is still working.
Faithfulness Matters
Peter explains that the person replacing Judas needed to have accompanied the disciples throughout Jesus’ ministry and witnessed His resurrection.
Two men were put forward: Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias.
These men had apparently been faithfully following Christ without receiving the attention given to the Twelve.
There is an important lesson here.
God often prepares us for future opportunities through ordinary faithfulness today.
We may never know how God will use today’s obedience tomorrow. Our responsibility is simply to remain faithful where He has placed us.
God Knows the Heart
Before making their decision, the believers prayed:
“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen.”
What a powerful prayer.
They acknowledged that God could see what they could not. People look at qualifications and appearances, but God knows the heart.
Their desire was not simply to make the best human decision. They wanted God’s direction.
What would change if we approached our decisions the same way?
Instead of asking God to approve our plans, we could halt for the gospel and pray, “Lord, You know my heart. You know the future. What is Your plan?”
Ready for What Comes Next
Acts 1 concludes with Matthias being numbered among the apostles.
The disciples had prayed. They had searched Scripture. They had addressed an important leadership need. Now they were prepared for what God would do next.
And then comes Acts 2.
The Holy Spirit arrives, Peter preaches the gospel, thousands are saved, and the church begins its mission.
But before the activity came prayer and preparation.
There will be seasons when God calls us to go, and there will be seasons when He calls us to wait. In both, our responsibility is faithfulness.
So before rushing ahead, halt for the gospel.
Pray.
Trust God’s Word.
Remain faithful.
Seek His direction.
Trust His timing.
And ask the question that keeps our hearts aligned with His:
“Lord, what is Your plan, and how can I faithfully be part of it?”