“Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived form Judea. He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he 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. When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

But he said,” Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said,” There Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:10-14

Let Paul, yet again, be an example of proclaiming God’s truth at any cost. We live in a society so afraid of saying the wrong thing about Jesus, lest we offend someone, that we keep silent. I am guilty of this very offense. It is so much easier to sit in silence that to proclaim God’s truth. Paul was ready to die for God’s truth. How many of us wouldn’t even risk being thought of differently by our closest friends let alone die for this truth?

It is one thing to think you know what MIGHT happen when we speak up, but it is another thing entirely to do it KNOWING what will happen. Paul didn’t shy away from this even knowing his fate. “Why all the weeping? You are breaking my heart!” Paul is telling them that he, above all else, wants to please God. Even if the result is pain and heartache he was willing to do it because this was God’s will.

I know I often share what I find in my study Bible, but I just love some of the devotionals about the verses. Here is another one to share with you:

Paul knew he would be imprisoned in Jerusalem. Although his friends pleaded with him not to go there, he knew that he had to because God wanted him to. No one enjoys pain, but a faithful disciple wants above all else to please God. Our desire to please God should overshadow our desire to avoid hardship and suffering. When we really want to do God’s will, we must accept all that comes with it – even the pain. Then we can say with Paul’s companions, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Maybe God isn’t calling you to go and do in this season of life, but maybe He is calling you to give up something. Something that seems impossible. Maybe it has been a lifelong struggle of yours and you feel like it is DNA deep and can’t be changed. Fear not, it can with the help of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we are followers of Jesus Christ not just believers then no matter how hard it may seem, our God is big enough to see you through it. In those moments we will be able to say,” Thy will be done.”

Prayer

Gracious God, I pray with a humble heart that Thy will be done. I know that seems scary and some days I am not up for what that may mean, but You are and You are strong enough, great enough, perfect enough, courageous enough, and oh so faithful to Your word. I pray that I may use Paul’s example of true discipleship to do Your will at all cost. I love You and pray with every fiber of my being that I chose to please You above myself and others. In Jesus Name, Amen.