It is often said that future events have a way of casting their shadows before them. Past events can explain present situations. This we can see from the death of James. During the ministry of Jesus, James and John asked Him to grant them seats on either side in His Kingdom. In His remark, Jesus told them that the least qualification for that was to drink His cup and be baptized with His baptism. Jesus had His suffering and death in mind here. I doubt if these brothers understood that, but they signed for it anyway. What they committed themselves to years ago was playing out here. Thank God that James died for a worthy cause, but it is a timely warning that there is power in our words. A commitment must never be made without a clear understanding of its implications.

A commitment must never be made without a clear understanding of its implications.

Though Herod killed James, we know that God allowed it. From the moment James accepted to drink the cup of the Lord, it became part of the determinate counsel of God for his life. Herod only helped to execute the will of God in James’ destiny. Concerning the death of Christ the Bible says, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain”. (Acts 2:23). When Roman authorities and the leaders of the Jews killed Jesus, they were only acting out a divine script that became a universal blessing. Rejoice, no one can do anything against you that is not according to the counsel and foreknowledge of God.