Tuesday: God’s Eternal Plan
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 24th of February 2026
Read Colossians 1:24-25. What does Paul say about his suffering for Christ’s sake?
Though Paul wrote Colossians while under house arrest in Rome, perhaps his greatest suffering came from not being able to labor intensively from place to place and house to house, as he had done previously (Acts 20:20). These afflictions (or tribulations), which Christ forewarned of (Matthew 24:9, John 16:33), “are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). This is the bigger picture. As Paul had written to the Christians in Philippi, so now to the Colossians he rejoices over his sufferings, which are for their benefit (Colossians 1:24).
Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com
Paul may be in prison, but “the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). While Paul was in this confinement, Philippians, Ephesians, and Philemon were also written. After his release, God inspired him to write the important counsels found in 1 Timothy and Titus. Then, during his final imprisonment in a Roman jail, he wrote 2 Timothy. In short, these final years provided Paul the opportunity to write a significant portion of the New Testament, which probably included Hebrews.
God’s eternal plan envisioned all of this and more. The Greek word Paul uses in Colossians 1:25, generally translated “stewardship,” is oikonomia. Used in a limited sense (as, for example, in 1 Timothy 1:4), it refers to “God’s way of ordering things.”—Luke Timothy Johnson, The First and Second Letters to Timothy (New York: Doubleday, 2001), p. 164. That would include Paul’s apostleship. But in a broader sense, it includes all the provisions God has made in the plan of salvation. The ministry of Paul, the other apostles, and even the prophets of the Old Testament (Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 3:5), including Moses, were designed “to fulfill the word of God” (Colossians 1:25), all in connection with this divine plan.
Although we will look more closely at this topic in tomorrow’s study, it is helpful at this point to notice that Paul recognized his ministry as just one small part of a much larger, long-range divine plan that began being implemented “from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 13:35, Ephesians 1:4).
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Think about your own life. How might the decisions you make (big and small) fit within God’s larger plan? Can we really know whether a decision is actually “small”? How might it have larger ramifications that will become apparent only later? |
A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and my specialist decided the best course of action was surgery. Subsequently, he split my abdomen open, cut off 30cm of my colon, pushed everything else back into place and glued the cut shut with superglue. (For those who are concerned about my health, last week I had my 6th test and checkup and am still cancer free. But that is not the point of this story) I had 6 weeks of recovery at home. No lifting heavy weights, not lawn mowing, no long walks in the bush. Just sitting around and doing little abdomen strengthening exercises. I sat in my back yard in the shade and photographed the birds that came into the birdbath. That was when I took some of my best bird action photographs. The weeks of incapacity turned into a blessing in disguise, I learned the special features of my camera that enabled me to capture birds flying, fighting, cooperating, and showing off.
Paul spent quite a bit of time in prison. He was not out there in the synagogues arguing with the Jews or preaching to the Gentiles about the openness of the Kingdom of God. He was in prison and had time to write things down. We cannot even imagine what Christianity would be like if Paul had not written his prison epistles. Not only did he provide us with our theology, he used his imprisonment experience as as example and refers to it often to illustrate what the Gospel means.
I often hear the exploits of those who go into far countries and work spreading the Gospel, but the often eclipse the work of those who remain at home and work in the local environment doing the “little” unsung work. It you read the story of the Battle of Britain; you will often hear about the exploits of the pilots who flew the planes. Nobody wrote up the stories of the mechanics who repaired and maintained those planes day after day. They contributed as much to the victory as the pilots who flew the planes.
We are often in circumstances beyond our control. That should not stop us from sharing our love of Jesus with others. Sometimes we need to be a bit inventive about the way we do it.
When we are placed in circumstances beyond our control illness, recovery, imprisonment, limitation we are not disqualified from ministry.Sometimes what feels like interruption is actually divine appointment.Sometimes we are invited to:Discover new gifts,develop deeper faith and share Christ in quieter but powerful ways.
The unseen work is just as essential as the visible work.Those who remain at home, pray faithfully, encourage quietly, write letters, maintain ministries, or support others are just as vital as those in public or overseas missions.
In God’s kingdom, faithfulness matters more than visibility.
Thank your for wording my thoughts. God bless you always
I often wonder how he was able to write things. How did he aquire writing material? If they didn’t like what he stood for it’s difficult to believe they would give him the material to write as much as he did. Please help me understand.
If you read the biblical account of Paul’s imprisonment as a Roman citizen it sound more like house arrest. He speaks of meeting with others quite a lot. He was granted quite a bit of consideration by his jailers and even on the journey to Rome was allowed to meet with other Christians. There is even a mention that some of Ceasar’s household were influenced. People such as Luke (the physician), Timothy, Mark, Tychicus, Epaphroditus, and Onesimus were all able to visit him in prison. So, I don’t think there was any limitation on the supply of writing materials.
Is suffering part of the salvation plan? Jesus suffered during His life, and it climaxed on the cross. The apostles suffered too, and even some of them were crucified upside down. The prophets of old had a good measure of suffering, too. Throughout history, suffering has been the way of life for the followers of Jesus Christ. Was God’s eternal plan of salvation only to be fulfilled through suffering? Was salvation possible without suffering? What is the message behind all this suffering?
From the onset, I want to strongly reiterate what the Bible says. Suffering is NOT a means for salvation; however, in a fallen world, it is a path through which salvation is revealed, accomplished, and deepened. Salvation is only through Christ, but for Jesus to atone for sin, it was necessary to go through suffering. According to God’s plan of salvation, suffering was a divine necessity. Jesus Himself said that it was necessary for Him to suffer. “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:26–27). In His eternal wisdom, God purposed that the plan of salvation would not be delivered on a golden platter but through suffering.
“For it was fitting for God [that is, an act worthy of His divine nature] that He, for whose sake are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the [a]author and founder of their salvation perfect through suffering [bringing to maturity the human experience necessary for Him to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest].” (Hebrews 2: 10, Amp.).
The message behind the suffering, particularly Jesus’ on the cross, is that love is costly, and sin will never win. The cross does not glorify suffering, but it promises that one day all suffering will end. “He will wipe away every tear… and death shall be no more.” (Revelation 21:4). Till suffering is annihilated in the new earth, we should emulate Paul in our suffering. Suffering refines our faith, brings spiritual maturity, brings us closer to God, humbles us, and suffering shapes our spiritual orientation.
In my decades of life and as a Christian I have met a multitude of people who have come to Christ as a result of having experienced suffering; often of their own causing. If not for their suffering and pain they would never have fallen at the foot of the cross and cried out: “God if you exist, reveal yourself to me”; and He does…!!!
God’s rescue mission climaxed on the cross, was not a mere reaction to a crisis. The cross was grounded in the eternal plan and God’s mind, it was determined before the foundation of the world as a means by which He would reconcile a people to Himself through Christ Jesus and restore a world broken by sin. God’s purpose was flowing from His pleasure and will (Ephesians 1:5–6), reveals that He is not merely concerned with our temporary happiness but with redeeming humanity back to His fold. His plan of salvation for humanity was not just intentional, but also a deliberate act. It is centered not on what we can ever do for God, but on what He has done for us through Christ. This gracious story transforms us from sinners into a people reconciled to Him, called to live in Him, for Him, and to the praise of His glory.
God’s eternal plan of salvation unfolds throughout every page of Scripture. The more we immerse ourselves in His Word, the more we understand and marvel at His love and wisdom. The Bible shows us that our failures, difficulties, and detours are not random setbacks, but tools God uses to sanctify and shape us for His service. When we experience His help in hard times, we are equipped to encourage others in theirs. As Scripture says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28
Here Paul remembered his conversion experience and his mandate to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.
Paul’s conversion story is a unique one and the experience energized him to carry on whether in prison or free.
Martin Luther also through the help of the Holy Spirit while in confinement like Paul – though not in chains, was able to translate the Bible into his local language and wrote other instructional materials in order to encourage and strengthen the members in Germany during the Reformation era.
Paul and Luther are clear examples of what the Holy Spirit can accomplish through us if we are willing to make mission and win souls for the kingdom irrespective of our conditions.
God’s eternal plan is for all of us to be saved.
The personal question we should ask ourselves is, what role am I playing in the plan of salvation of my soul and that of others?
Suffering is not a sugared cup of coffee but a moment of distress. Even when on self-inflicted suffering, its never nice or welcome. Imagine now suffering for cause, a cause of other and the very people are still sneer you.
In Paul is a classical example of the divine attitude towards suffering for holding faith that should inform and inspire us today when in a similar front. Apostle Peter holds the same divine attitude in suffering for Christ’s sake.
In this moments, however painful, God has proven to be doing something good had we to see the big picture of it or understand His end purpose.
In every situation that we are faced with,we should always ask for God’s bigger plan to be revealed to us so that we may be able to see what we may not be seeing at the moment.
When Paul was in house arrest in Roman,many saw it as if that was the end of his missionary work but instead,that was a prime opportunity for him to write more epistles to other regions. God had a bigger picture in his arrest.
In addition,when Jacob ran for his life and while on his journey to his uncle’s home,he encountered God in dream. Joseph in Egypt passed through challenges but remember,God had an external plan for him.
We have many more examples from the Bible that we can talk about. We should always learn to see the God’s external/ big plan in whatever situation we may be going through. ” I know the plans I have for you says the Lord”- Jeremiah 29:11.
May God help us to trust wholly in Him to take us through our personal suffering so that His character may be replicated in us!!!!
I was baptized Catholic and adopted at six months old by an older couple who couldn’t have children. They found me through a Catholic newspaper. My parents were not evenly yoked—my mom was Baptist and my dad was Muslim. I grew up going to the mosque on Saturday and church on Sunday. They both believed in God and gave me the freedom to choose my own path of faith.
At 14, I chose to be baptized as a Christian at a non-denominational Church of Christ. Later in life, I was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist faith after being introduced to it through my ex-husband. I raised our three daughters in the SDA church. They attended SDA school from pre-K through 8th grade, and I made sure they were involved in everything—Adventurers, Pathfinders, VBS, fall festivals, band, camping trips, vespers, and more.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that faith isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being consistent. We did our best to plant the seeds in our children. Like gardening, faith takes time, patience, and care. One of my daughters no longer attends church now that she’s an adult, but I still encourage her with love. We laid the foundation by teaching her to follow Christ, and I’m learning to trust that God will handle the growth in His time.
No one likes to suffer there is no fun in it. If there was no devil there would be no suffering but the reality is we have a wily foe who buffets us on every hand. Christ suffered and if He is the Son of God and He suffered we who are God’s children will also go through different sufferings. Our outlook our response our understanding of who we are our perception of our Father make the difference. May God’s grace and mercy comfort us during our sufferings even while we moan and groan but continue to love Jesus
We are doing our small part in a larger field of work. That is why we are reminded to not be afraid because it is not on us alone. There is Jesus Christ the forerunner and sustainer of our faith.To Paul,this was an inspiration to labor for the believes in his care. He suffered for Christ’s sake to serve his church.
Detaching Christ from any form of love creates a temporary, sponge-like love. When Christ is at the base of any decision, the result is prone to last. Without Christ in perspective, decisions are certain to lead to frustrations.
Good thoughts Knowledge, may I add?
I have a bright shinning apple before me looking as though it is perfect. Yet it is a little lopsided. We look at ourselves and see the imperfections in our lives, basing our decisions on being a shining light for Christ, as unworthy to be in the service of Christ. Let us look through Christ eyes and forge forward with the decisions to make a diference in those lives we come in contact with whether it be helping others directly or taking the train to the big city and stopping to talk with a homeless on the street, or almost triping over sunbathers on the beach watching the waves come in. Do something and sit on the sand, being on the lookout for danger from shallow swimming Rays or sharks, and warn others. God will use you if you ask. The power from on high is there available for all, latch onto it. Be prepared, He may bring a soul to you that needs a smile and/or a few encouraging words.
If we continue to live in faith and ready to repent, God is love, good and just.
If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.