There are many so-called prophets these days, and we hear various prophecies being spoken here and there. We may find ourselves bewildered as to which prophecies are true and which are false. So many seem to declare, "The Spirit of the Lord says to you," or "the Lord is leading you to do this or say that."
The disciples in Tyre told Paul not to go up to Jerusalem, and the Spirit revealed to him through Agabus what would happen to him in Jerusalem. Amazingly, Paul told them that he was ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of Jesus. They were not able to convince him to stay out of Jerusalem.
What speaks to me in this story is the attitude of each of those who had prophesied to Paul. They did not argue to prove that they were right or try to defend their reputations. Instead, they gave themselves to the will of the Lord.
Paul too surrendered himself to the will of God. He knew what God's will was for him and where his Master wanted him to be. It was a painful position to be in, but in spite of all the prophecies Paul had received he was determined to follow God's calling on his life. That was more important even than his physical well-being and comfort.
May each of us know God's will for us in the depths of our hearts. And may nothing deter us from following his direction for our lives.
- 3 JULY -