DEVOTION – DAY 287

Matthew 17:27 “The Lord Is In Control”

 

Matthew 17:27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

 

The background of this verse was about Peter being approached by tax collectors who asked Peter if he and his teacher Jesus, had paid the temple tax. In ancient times, every adult male Jew was required to pay an annual tax for the upkeep of the temple in Jerusalem. The tax was called the temple tax and amounted to about 2 days wages for a worker. Jesus knew what the tax collectors wanted from them. As the Son of God, He knew He was exempt from having to pay the tax. But in order not to cause any misunderstanding or offense for the tax collectors and people watching them, Jesus gave some instructions to Peter.

 

Peter was told to go to the nearby lake. He was to cast his fishing line into the lake and the first fish he caught would have a four-drachma coin in its mouth. Peter was to use the coin to pay for both their temple taxes. Peter followed Jesus’ instructions and he found the coin just as Jesus had said. This miracle shows that the Lord is in full control of every circumstance – including seemingly random events. For this miracle to happen, a combination of events must take place. Someone must first of all accidentally drop a four-drachma coin into the lake. A fish must come along at that time and pick up the coin in its mouth. The fish must keep that coin in its mouth and not swallow it. Peter must go to the lake at the exact spot and cast his fishing line. He must catch that exact fish with the coin in its mouth, and not any other fish. No other fish must be caught by his fishing line. The four-drachma coin would be the exact amount to pay the temple tax for two persons. Only the Lord could command all these random events to fulfill His purposes.

 

A woman knew that the Lord wanted her to attend a meeting in London. But she had no money for the return fare by train to London. She prayed and told the Lord that if His will was for her to attend the meeting in London, the Lord would have to provide her the money for the train tickets. On the day of the meeting, she got up early and dressed as if she was going on a day trip to London. She walked to the railway station and as she approached the station, she was beginning to worry. Just then, she bumped into a friend who slipped an envelope into her hand. This friend told her she was prompted by the Lord to pass her some money and she was just setting out to look for her. The woman opened the envelope to find the exact fare she needed for her journey. God is in control of all circumstances.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we praise you for you are Sovereign and Mighty. Thank you for graciously providing for our needs. Please help us to trust in you in all circumstances. We pray this in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. How has the Lord helped you out of a difficult situation as a result of seemingly random circumstances? Share.
  2. How does the fact that God is Sovereign help you to trust in Him in all circumstances?
  3. Why must you trust God in all circumstances and not rely on your own strength? Discuss.
  4. How has the Lord provided for your needs?