Written by Kevin Gatschene
Today we are looking at Acts 21.
In this chapter we find Paul making his way to Jerusalem. On a layover in Tyre in Syria Paul meets up with the local believers. During his week stay with them; these disciples prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go to Jerusalem.
After leaving Tyre Paul’s ship found its way to Caesarea where he stayed with Phillip the evangelist. During his stay a man named Agabus arrived from Judea. He too prophesied that Paul would have trouble in Jerusalem and find himself in jail. All of this falls in line with what Paul was told by the Holy Spirit in Acts 20:23 that jail and suffering lie ahead.
Sometimes what we hear God telling us isn’t what we really want to hear and we draw our own conclusions as to the meaning. Paul knew what lies ahead but discerned that it was meant to prepare him; not deter him from going, and Paul had peace because he was walking in obedience to God’s will. Paul knew that obedience meant sometimes he might have to make sacrifices but Paul believed that it was better to suffer for Jesus than to live as the world.
1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Today let’s ask God to help us discern his will as we hear his voice and direction, and that we may walk in obedience in spite of the risk.
