February 21, Prophecies Fulfilled
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
We saw the shift in Paul's demeanor in chapter twenty of Acts. The heaviness of Paul's certain fate weighs even heavier in this chapter twenty-one. Having arrived at the home of Philip (the same Philip that we discussed in chapter eight), Paul once again encounters more prophecies of the events that await him in Jerusalem. After hearing these prophecies, everyone present tried to talk Paul out of following the will of God. This is a hard tension. These disciples wanted what was best for Paul. They cared about him. The advice they gave was not in any way intended to dissuade him from obeying God, but he knew that he could not follow God and give in to the pressure of those around him.
“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.”
This declaration from Paul is so reminiscent of the conversation between Christ and Peter just prior to his arrest in Matthew 16:22-23:
"And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, 'Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.' But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'"
One of the hardest things about following the Spirit is becoming selfless in our preference for the plan of God. Author Henry Blackaby often says that the most important part of praying through a situation is praying until your heart has no preference. Clearly Jesus—and Paul—were better at that than many of us.
Paul pressed forward. Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, tensions immediately became apparent. The local believers persuaded Paul to observe a purification ritual before arriving at the Temple, but clearly this was not enough to satisfy the religious mob that awaited. The moment presented itself and those blind to the Spirit of God stirred up an angry mob that was attacking so violently that it took Roman soldiers to pull Paul to safety. Paul knew his moment was arriving. This could be the very events that had been prophesied coming to pass. In the chaos of the moment, Paul asked for one more opportunity to address the angry mob. He was about to turn his arrest into an altar call.
Reflect on the journey:
Have you ever struggled with the tension between obeying God and your personal preference? Think back to the moments that you chose obedience and how that choice ultimately worked out. Did God prove to be faithful in that choice of obedience?
Through your prayer time today:
Often in prayer, we ask for God to move in situations as long as He moves in specific ways. Search your heart and arrive at the position that you can honestly pray the same prayer that the disciples prayed in verse fourteen: "Let the will of the Lord be done." Is there an area of your life that you've been afraid to pray that prayer over? Confess it to Him. You will find peace in submission.
