Purpose Driven
Pastor Wesley & Yajhna Sing · 2 min read
“As we were staying there for some time, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to [see] us, he took Paul’s [wide] band (belt, sash) and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this same way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this band, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles (pagans).’” Now when we had heard this, both we and the local residents began pleading with Paul trying to persuade him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart [like this]? For I am ready not only to be bound and imprisoned, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be dissuaded, we stopped pleading and fell silent, saying, “The Lord’s will be done!””
The prophet Agabus was clear in his prophecy to Paul, telling him exactly what he would suffer if he persisted in going to Jerusalem. He was very graphic in his explanation using Paul’s belt to explain what would happen to Paul. He could not dissuade Paul from going. Paul was relentless in his purpose. There was no fear of suffering or imprisonment for Paul. He knew what it was he needed to do and nothing could stop him.
I know if I was Paul and somebody told me that, I definitely would reconsider my decision. The fear of suffering and pain would be the deciding factor for me to change my mind. That is not what God expects of us. He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love and power and a sound mind. Paul was convinced God would keep him and deliver him so he pushed forward. We too have to develop this kind of attitude, forge forward, for the Lord your God is with you.
From the October 2024 issue, themed RELENTLESS IN MY GOD GIVEN PURPOSE.
