Acts 21:8-14 - God's will to our friends
Scripture:
Acts 21:8-14
8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses.
10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: "In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"
12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, "The will of the Lord be done!"
NASU
Thoughts:
Paul is determined to do the Lord's will (verse 13), even though it will cost him dearly (verse 11), and even though those who love him don't agree (verse 12).
This reminds me of how others can unwittingly discourage us from doing the very thing that the Lord has called us to do! Others can be blinded by their concern for us. Often others may simply have fears over what they think may happen, but in this case Paul's friends knew what would happen because the Lord had told them! (verse 11) And yet Paul remains resolved to do what he knows is God's will.
This is such an encouragement for us in times when the Lord calls us to go in a direction that others don't understand or agree with. The vital test of God's will for us is agreement with the Bible, not the agreement of all our friends and loved ones. Hopefully we won't often find ourselves at odds with those near to us, but it can and probably will happen at one time or another. In those times, we like Paul need the determination to move forward, even though others don't want us to.
Prayer:
Lord, let me hear Your voice and obey. Help me to follow You, even when others don't understand.
Amen
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