Bad News

We’ve been speaking about advice for a few days now. What if the advice we hear is not what we want to hear?  That very thing happened to Paul.

 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabuscame came down from Judea.  Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

 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 21:10-14, NIV)

Did you catch that last phrase? 

When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Does that mean that if Paul had weakened his stance, they would have been content? But wait! That would mean they were content to have their friend ignore the Holy Spirit. WHAT????

How did Paul come to this decision? How did he know for sure?

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (Acts 20:22-23, NIV)

Paul listened to the Holy Spirit. Do you??

Prayer- Please Lord, when we discern your truth, help us walk in it. For Christ’s sake. Amen.