Acts 21:1-26

There are three verses in this passage of Scripture that I wish to focus upon.

“They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.” (v. 4)

“And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (vs. 10-11)

I find these two passages interesting, not so much for their content, but rather for the way Paul processes them in his heart.  These are obvious warnings to Paul of coming imprisonment and danger, and yet, Paul does not change his course, but continues on toward Jerusalem.

And then my thoughts wander to Christ who understood that he was going to be hung upon the cross until he died and chose that course anyway.

Just because we have warnings does not mean that we should flee the course that God has designed for our lives.  This is a rather interesting thought for me because frankly I don’t like the thought of being persecuted.  In the natural when someone warns me of impending danger, I generally use that information to change course.

However, here is the Apostle Paul receiving very difficult information and determining in his heart, even with his friends telling him not to proceed, that his course is for Jerusalem because from there he will go to Rome.

In Acts 20:21-22 Paul says that he had received warnings in every town along his journey that he was about to experience trouble when he went to Jerusalem.

And then the Lord stands near Paul in the middle of the night in Acts 23:11 and says: “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

There is something unshakable about the word of the Lord in our hearts.  When you have heard His voice speak, you cannot be deterred from the course.  You continue despite all opposition that comes your way.  The truth of the word of God lies in your heart.  When God speaks He speaks with absolute power and authority.  Your very being understands that He cannot lie and that He has the power to perform the word that He has spoken.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be like Paul.  I want this unshakable confidence to be in my heart.  I want to walk and not grow weary, run and not faint.  I want to be able to walk through the flames of opposition and the high tides of persecution and still deliver the word of the Lord as it is presented to my heart.

In order to walk in authority we cannot shrink back.  We must continue the course.

I pray today that you will have the heart of Christ.  I pray that you will be like Paul, that you will see the opposition and even the cross coming your way and that you will be resolute in your journey and confidence.  May God fill you with power from on high so that you to will accomplish His will for your life.