August 24, 2021 - Acts 21:1-14

Knowing and following the will of God can be a difficult thing to do! Knowing that the Lord desired us to move from New York to Illinois was easy for me to discern. There were several factors that led me to believe that it was what the Lord desired. However, it was not as easy for our children to accept and agree to the changes that it would bring to their lives. Today, I believe our whole family would agree it was the correct move for us.

Paul had desired to return to Jerusalem and to worship and celebrate the Day of Pentecost with his brethren (20:16). He had been away from the focal point of Judaism for many years and the desire to return and worship in Jerusalem was important to him.

As Paul traveled toward Israel, people prophesied that chains and imprisonment awaited him if he went to Jerusalem. Paul’s focus was intent on going to Jerusalem and to celebrate the feast at Pentecost regardless of his physical wellbeing. This struggle proved difficult and no one was able to answer it other than Paul himself.

The Spirit appears to be expressing contradictory directives to Paul and the disciples. Was the Spirit speaking two messages or a message with conflicting emphasis that only Paul would be able to determine as correct? Paul seemed absolutely convinced that he was to be in Jerusalem. He was compelled and almost driven to get there. Yet, through many disciples, the Spirit spoke clearly of the upcoming difficulties that awaited Paul.

Paul responded with his answer that he was ready to be bound and to die in Jerusalem for his Lord! A weaker, less mature man could have succumbed to the pressure and not gone to Jerusalem. The Lord’s will would have been accomplished differently. Perhaps, instead of Rome paying for his travels and arriving in Rome as a prisoner, he could have traveled there himself and then been arrested and tried. We do know the Lord’s will for Paul was to speak of his Lord before kings and present the message of Christ before Caesar (27:24).

There are times when it appears the Lord is directing us in contradictory directions. Using God’s word, people may advise us one way when we are convinced by the Lord differently than their counsel. The maturity of his faith led Paul to trust his Savior despite the upcoming difficulties. Paul demonstrated his belief in the words of Job, “Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation…” (Job 13:15-16). Like Paul, it is vital that we have a strong understanding of what God desires to do in our life and follow that conviction regardless the impending struggles.

With an Expectant Hope,

Pastor Miller