When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:12-14

How often do we pray for God’s will to be done, but deep down in our hearts we want our will to be done? If we’re honest, I would say most of the time. Not Paul, he was firm in standing his ground knowing that he would be imprisoned in Jerusalem, but still wanting to go and carry out God’s will. Everyone was warning him not to, but he was following the Lord.

It’s a tough concept to grasp. Even now, after studying these verses, I can’t quite wrap my brain around it. If I knew that tough times, trouble, imprisonment, heartache, sickness, whatever “bad stuff” would be just around the bend, I’d be running the other way, even if God were calling me toward the negative. 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, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Prayer

God of every circumstance, we come before You today, unsure of where You might lead us next. Help us to meet You with open arms and open hearts – ready to go where You lead. Lord we pray that You will give us faith to pray that prayer – Thy Will Be Done. Amen.