DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FOLLOWING GOD'S VOICE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FOLLOWING GOD'S VOICE

"Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' " (Acts 21:12-13)

The Scripture says that in the multitude of counselors is safety (Proverbs 14:24; 24:6). It is wise to listen to advice. But what if that advice directly contradicts what we know that God has spoken to our spirits? Whom do we heed?

The Apostle Paul was "bound in the spirit" to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22). In other words, he had a word from the Lord in his own spirit that he was supposed to go to Jerusalem with the understanding that prison awaited him there (20:24).

On his journey to Jerusalem, he came to Tyre, where some believers told him "through the spirit" not to go to Jerusalem (21:4). Whether this was a word from the Holy Spirit or from their own spirits is debatable. But when he got to Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus confirmed the same message – that he would be bound and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles (vs. 11).

When Paul's friends became aware of this, they pleaded with him with tears that he should not go to Jerusalem. But Paul could not be dissuaded from what he knew in his heart God wanted him to do.

Here's the lesson. When we are convinced in our hearts that God is leading us to do something that seems illogical to the natural mind, we need to follow God's voice rather than the voices of those around us, as concerned as those voices are for our well-being. It may be that God is leading us into circumstances that will be difficult, but it is best to pray as the disciples did, "The will of the Lord be done" (vs. 14). It is easy to sing, "God's way is the best way," and it is, but that does not mean it will be easy. We must be convinced in our own hearts about the will of God, and then do it. Otherwise, we will be at the whim of people around us who may want to be of good help, but do not have the mind of the Lord for us.

Love, Dad