when God works behind the scenes

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Acts 26:1-32. We read about Paul giving his defense before Agrippa and Festus. And we hear them say that he could have gone free if he hadn't appealed to Caesar.

But Paul DID appeal to Caesar, and he was given that audience to share the gospel. And who knows how many people came to know God because of that? There were probably times when Paul regretted appealing to Caesar. But God was working behind the scenes to bring him to a bigger audience so he could speak the truth to more people.

And God pretty much orchestrated the whole thing from the beginning, didn't He? He knocked Paul off his horse, and blinded him. He commanded him to stop persecuting Him, but to become His evangelist instead. Paul didn't seem to have much choice in the matter. However, we know that God doesn't force people to do His will, so we can probably assume that Paul prayed for God's will to be done somewhere along the way, and God answered that prayer by calling him.

How is God working behind the scenes in your life? Have you asked Him to do things in your life, allowing Him to make changes as they're needed? It definitely makes a difference when you do.

God, thank You for answering our prayers - especially when You do it behind the scenes, in ways we can't imagine.