February 8, 2025

Who are we to try and usurp the will of God? Paul knew this well when the prophet Agabus warned him that he would be taken into custody in Jerusalem. But, Paul, being given this information, did not change his plans to go there. He went so far as to admonish them for wanting him to stay in safety rather than go to Jerusalem and face prison time or possibly be killed. Once there, the brethren welcomed him in, but some there admonished him for not sticking to the Mosaic law by entertaining Gentiles. I believe this is one of those instances where "if in Rome you do like the Romans do" because he went through a cleansing ritual so he could enter the temple, but it was there that they accused him, forced him out of the temple, and called for him to be taken into custody. I'm all about peace and safety, but at what point should we let that go and not be afraid to stand firm on God's Word and do the hard things He has called us to do? Time is drawing near, and we may be forced to choose. What are you going to do if put in that situation? Do not cower, but allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into what is right in the eyes of God. We must be like Paul and not let our comfort dissuade us from doing what God calls us to do. Stand strong, mighty warriors of God, and remain in your armor because you never know when God might call you to war. 

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. Acts 21:13-14