Reflection:  A friend of mine recently spoke about being on ‘the wrong side of history’. It is a phrase we hear often – and it is often used to paint someone opposed to you as someone who will be revealed as misguided, even wrong in their understanding of events. Paul could have been accused of this – after all, by now he was under house-arrest in Rome and seemingly doomed. And, yet, as he writes this little excursus on his life, he makes very clear that he is very much on the ‘right side of history’, despite all appearances (vs.7). You see, history is about God’s plan to bring all the world to right organisation ‘in Christ’ – that includes people from every nation, tribe and tongue reconciled to God and each other, ‘in Christ’. When this happens in the church here and in the future, what is God shown to be (vs.8-12)? Unbelievably wise! In this sense, despite appearances, there is no need to be discouraged!

Question:  Ponder the mob of people you meet with at church – how do you display the ‘multi-faceted wisdom of God’?

Prayer:  Father, when I gather with your people, I am amazed by your wisdom – that ‘in Christ’, you have dealt with our sin, given us peace with you and each other, and so displayed to the world that you have defeated the rule of sin. Please grant me, and us, great delight and contentment in your wisdom. Amen.