FRIDAY November 3, 2023
A Final Warning
When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:3-4
After leaving his friends in Ephesus, Paul headed toward Jerusalem, a route that took him on four-hundred-mile journey to Cyprus, a small island in the Mediterranean. Then the trip took him over to Tyre, which today is Lebanon. Afterwards, he went on to Caesarea, where historically, King Herod built beautiful palaces and waterways.
Paul, in his heart and mind, knew through the Spirit what awaited him in the city of Jerusalem. He faced persecution and eventually certain death. God allowed persecution, suffering and martyrdom in the final years of Paul’s life. He had already suffered so much, so why not allow him to prosper in his last years on earth? Why wasn’t Paul blessed with wealth and health? As believers, sometimes we do not really understand the truth about the Christian life. True Christianity is not always prosperity, wealth and health, as some pastors falsely preach. Instead, it is more likely to be persecution, prison, and for some, even death!
The next eight chapters in the book of Acts, despite Paul’s arrest and plots against his life, are full of adventure. He would have opportunities to preach the Gospel before Felix the governor and King Agrippa. Yet his friends––Luke and other brethren––tried to dissuade him from going to Jerusalem. They pleaded, “You do not have to go there!” But God’s faithful Apostle knew he must finish his race. He had a certainty of spirit, that even though he was eventually going to die, he would be united with all the brethren who loved him, in heaven.
It is important to know the direction of the Holy Spirit, to listen when He speaks to you. Men, out of emotion, may try to change your heart and mind, but the Holy Spirit will bring you calm and peace concerning the direction He wants you to take. God will always reassure you.
...to enjoy peace, our unbelieving thoughts must be stilled and we must learn that the Lord reigns.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
