Acts 21 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“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 Yeshua.’ So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the L-rd be done.’” Acts 21:12-14

Soon after, I decided to follow Yeshua, I started attending a bible study. One evening the study leader asked if anyone knew any “Jesus songs”. I owned a guitar, so I started writing songs…something I never knew I could do.

A year later, I was offered a chance to record my songs as a professional musician. Following that opportunity meant I had to leave college…and the full-ride track scholarship that came with it.

I remember sitting in my car, listening to a cassette tape of John MacArthur preaching, “The Crisis of Decision”. I had been seeking the Lord for months, and I was confident He was leading me into the Christian music business. I turned left and drove to Memphis, leaving college. And the rest, as they say, is history.

I wish I could say that all my friends & family supported my step of faith. They didn’t. It’s not that they didn’t love the L-rd. It’s just hard sometimes, watching others make faith-based decisions that the L-rd hasn’t led you to. The L-rd was asking me to step-out in a way that nobody I knew had ever followed Him…so they doubted I was actually listening to the L-rd.

The bible says there is wisdom in good counsel. Proverbs 13:10 It is good to be accountable, and downright necessary! Still, there are times when people’s concern for your wellbeing may be evidence of their misunderstanding of “calling”.

That was the case for Paul in today’s passage. The Spirit of God was testifying to the believers about Paul’s suffering, so they were concerned about his wellbeing. But they were unaware of the ministry opportunities that would follow Paul’s bondage.

We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. Paul didn’t know the outcome of his trip to Jerusalem. He just had enough faith to know the L-rd was sending him…and he had the obedience to go.

Is the L-rd leading you in an unpopular direction? Seek him earnestly and listen to His voice. If He is, indeed, leading you, then set your heart to follow Him. No matter what you go through, He will bring you through.

As was the case with Paul, we should follow the L-rd in such a way, that it would be utter foolishness, were there no resurrection from the dead!

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Wednesday, August 7, 2013