Acts 21:7-16
English
Standard Version (ESV)
7 When we had finished the voyage from
Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers[a] and stayed with them for one day. 8 On
the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of
Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He
had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were
staying for many 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,
“Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews[b] at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns
this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When
we heard this, we and the people there urged 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 imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of
the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we
ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 After these days we got ready and went
up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea
went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple,
with whom we should lodge.
I don’t know how
many times that I have said how I am ready to do God’s will in my life only to
find myself grumbling, complaining, weeping, because I am in situations where I
am not satisfied. It is very frustrating
for me when I catch myself in this state of mind. Even though I know it is God’s will and it is
best for me, I still complain if it isn’t my way. I know this world is not “all about me” and I
know that God knows best. I am convinced
that He cares for His people yet I complain.
Paul was quite
the opposite. He knew evil was coming
his way and he did not back down from it.
He faced it head on, knowing it would not be pleasant but also knowing
that God had a plan. I think that is
amazing, to say the least! How and why
does someone walk straight in to danger?
By trusting in the Lord their God.
By demonstrating their faith in the God we serve. By willingly laying down their life for the
sake of Christ. They do it to glorify
God.
This past week
there was a tragedy at a church in America.
A man came in and shot people just because he hated their race. It is reported that he almost did not do this
horrible act because the people were so nice.
The reaction from the family members was one of great forgiveness and
the concern for this young man’s soul.
The one who found the shooter gave all glory to God in the entire
situation and she did so on National television. Many attended the worship service following
the tragedy and there were people from all over the United States who stood
outside the doors of the church to hear the message. Is God being glorified? Was His will done? Yes, but how we wish the tragedy would not
have had to happen. I have to wonder if
those people would have been at Bible study had they known a shooter would be
coming in the door? Maybe some would say
yes while others would have had doubt. I
believe that is why God does not always tell us the future or let us look into
our lives in the future. We would be
afraid and possibly not even take the path that He wants us to go. A path that leads to His glory.
Our purpose in
this life is to glorify God. Not in just
the good times but in the bad times as well.
We need to realize that God has a plan and it will be fulfilled. Seek Him and ask Him how you might be able to
be a part of His perfect plan.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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