Welcome to Day 26 of Journey to the Cross. Can anything change God’s plans? Can anything prevent God’s will? Today we look at this idea.

In Matthew 12, Jesus and His disciples were passing through some grain fields on the Sabbath. Being hungry, His disciples picked some heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees considered this work and claimed that the disciples were breaking the law of the Sabbath. Jesus basically tells them that they misunderstand the law. But then He continues on into town.

“Moving on from there, He entered their synagogue. There He saw a man who had a shriveled hand, and in order to accuse Him, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” He replied to them, “Who among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out? A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.” Then He told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored, as good as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might kill Him.”

Matthew 12:9-14

Many journeys begin with great expectations. You are excited about the great vacation you have planned, the amazing things you are going to see and do. Yet sometimes along the way, the hope of the trip begins to crumble. Hope shrinks as things begin to go awry. Optimism evaporates as the transmission is toasted. It rains the whole time you are at the beach. The famous restaurant you planned to go to is temporarily closed. The ride at the amusement park is shut down. Joy is stolen as quickly as a pickpocket can take a wallet.

On Jesus’s journey, what was originally simple resistance from the Pharisees began to evolve into a plot to murder Him. It appeared that God’s plan would be ruined. If Jesus had not been put to death, think of all the people He could have healed, taught and fed. Jesus’s death appears to cut His ministry short. But that was not the case. The Pharisees didn’t know it, but they were already part of God’s eternal plan. From before the foundation of the earth, Jesus was destined for Calvary’s hill. He is the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

Nothing can stand in the way of God’s plan. Nothing could stop the redemption of His people. Nothing can stop His love. Whatever conspires against you – whether cancer or car problems, divorce or depression, legal trouble or the loss of a loved one – God will fulfill His good purposes for you, now and forever.

Today as you pray, ask God to remind you that in everything He is at work. That work is ultimately for your good, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.

Thank you for joining me for Day 26. Come back tomorrow for day 27 as we talk about tears in the journey.