By Faith

Acts 20:24

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁴ But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+20%3A24&version=ESV)

How many of us can say this is our life verse?  It is so easy to say these words but to live them out is a totally different story.  Paul knew that when he went to Jerusalem he would likely be persecuted, beaten and imprisoned.  I am sure he had to be somewhat apprehensive about this.  Just as Jesus was apprehensive and asked the Father that if it were His will that His suffering might be removed, Matthew 26:39 ³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”   (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A39&version=ESV)
We wonder why we are in situations that we are in.  I asked God daily the same question, “Why?” with a pit in my stomach and an ache in my heart.  It is by faith that I ask but it is with lack of faith that I continue to ask.  I have no idea what Paul’s prayers were like, he might of prayed a similar prayer as Jesus.  I do believe that he had such confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ and his future with Him that Paul did not question the “why” of what was happening to him.  He had experienced Christ in a way that gave him no doubt that He was the Savior.  When Paul is first introduced in the Bible we see him approving the stoning of a saint, Stephen.  Paul knew that he had been forgiven for that and was willing to suffer the same for the sake of Christ.  He owed his life to Christ, as do we.  What is it for us to have to suffer a little on this earth due to our sin and the sin of the world?  God forgives our sins when we confess them to Him I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Faithful+and+just&qs_version=ESV)
No one knew that truth more than Paul who experienced it firsthand.  We too can have the assurance that Christ died for us.  By faith we are saved and by faith we shall live.  As you seek Him today be sure to know that He cares for you.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila