Even at our best, we sometimes struggle to be fully compliant with Holy Ghost.
Acts 21:4 – And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
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It is my heart’s desire to be pleasing to my Father. And in my heart, I believe that statement is true for every Christian who truly loves the Lord. This obedience of which I write is, in truth, the very love of God that has been shed abroad in our hearts by Holy Spirit. I realize the things I am about to write is treading on dangerous ground in the minds of many who will read this, but please, hear what the Scriptures are saying. It is easy for us to place people like Peter, James, John, and Paul on such high pedestals, almost to the point of deifying them, because of their high place in the history and heritage of the church. But one, and ONLY ONE, was perfect, and His Name is Jesus.
Read our Text for Today closely. Paul was told “through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.” Later in this same chapter in verses 8-13 that he was again warned to NOT go to Jerusalem, and this warning came from the daughters of Philip, as well as from a prophet named Agabus. Paul was warned by at least six witness to not go to Jerusalem, and it appears the other members of his party agreed with the warnings. Yet Paul went ahead, saying he was ready to be bound, and even die for the Name of Jesus. Well, we see clearly it was not God’s will for him to die at this time. And while I will not say it was not God’s will for Paul to go to Jerusalem, I will say it was not God’s will for him to go to Jerusalem at that time.
My friend, Father has a divine will for each of us, and when we follow that will precisely, the end will always bring honor and glory to the Kingdom of God. However, the truth is and all of us, at some time, regardless of how much we desire to please Father, choose to do things our way and a point in time of our choosing, and too often, in the manner we choose to do it. I fully understand desire, will, drive, passion, and the elements of life that can drive a man. I also know that many times these things drive us to do something now that Father intended us to grow and develop our skills and capacities to perform them at a later time. There are times in our life when we fail to recognize the proper and timely use of a tool or device God provides for ministry. It is well to use what Father has given, and it is well to obey what Father commands. Just take the time to assure it is for NOW!
Manna for Today – Acts 21:1-16; John 14:15-17; 1 John 5:3; Romans 5:5
My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 