February 14, 2012 (Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” Acts 21:12 NLT
Observation: In Acts 21:4 the believers in Tyre prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem. However, Paul ignored the warning and sailed on to the town of Caesarea where several days later he encountered a man named Agabus. Agabus took Paul’s belt and bound his hands and feet and said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘so shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.'” At this time the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But once again Paul ignored the danger and pressed on toward Jerusalem, not only willing to be bound but also willing to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.
Application: Jesus had told Paul much earlier of all the things he would suffer for His sake. Paul was not only willing, but he was eager to get it on. He was determined to go to Jerusalem even if it meant he would die there. My question is, did he have to go through so much suffering and persecution to get where God was leading him? The Holy Spirit had tried to use several people to encourage him not to go on to Jerusalem at this time. Could it be that Paul’s zealous spirit had led him down a road he didn’t have to travel once again? This determination to go on to Jerusalem, in spite of the Holy Spirit’s warning, led him to an immediate compromise that began an amazing course of suffering. In his effort to keep peace with the Jewish church in Jerusalem Paul compromised on what seemed to be a nonessential issue. However his plan of peace turned into a riot.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that leads and guides me along life’s pathway. You have given Your Spirit as my comforter and guide. Help me Lord to listen to the wisdom of Your Holy Spirit. Keep me from self inflicted suffering and pain. Help me to see clearly the path You would have me to travel in Jesus name, Amen!