God's Timing

Bible Readings... Acts 12
Highlighted Verse... Acts 12:1-3 - It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Thoughts... During Jesus' ministry on earth, he spent extra time with three of the apostles -- Peter, James, and John.  Now, a little less than one year after the Crucifixion, James has been put to death by Herod and Peter is imprisoned by Herod with similar intent. How could Jesus' special time with these three men have been for one year of ministry after his death? Oddly enough, in One of Jesus' last earthly talks with Peter, he tells Peter how he will die, and tells Peter not to worry about John, but no word is said of James.
How it impressed me... It is clear that we will never know God's full plan this side of Heaven. Why he takes this one home and leaves another... cutting short one life and extending another... has confused man for ages. However, the fact that he has a plan, should not confuse any believers. We tend to overly focus on what we can see instead of what God sees... what we think is important, rather than what God knows is important. Peter lived for another day through the miraculous intervention of an angel of the Lord, James went home to his master.
My response to God... Mighty God, your ways remain a mystery to me. I know your grand plan from your Word, but fail to see how all the pieces fit together. Help me to have faith in your omniscience, even when I don't understand. Use me as you will to achieve your goals.