Daily Devotional

(Note: Welcome to my on-going devotional series in Acts 16-28. I encourage you to look back at past devotionals and stay current. Today we come to Acts 21).

Acts 21:14 “…the will of God be done.”

It’s hard to suffer. Sometimes, it is even harder to watch loved ones go through problems. The anguish of someone we love going through—or about to go through—great difficulty tears at our hearts. We cry out to God to alleviate their pain. And He does! However, not always the way we want!

Acts 21 is typical of what many of us face. The Apostle Paul’s friends were worried. They began begging him not to leave town, warning him he was going to suffer greatly (v. 12). I love Paul's answer: "What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready—even to die—for the name of the Lord Jesus" (v. 13).

Finally, his loved ones submitted their natural, protective sentiments to a higher calling, and cried out by faith: “The will of God be done” (v. 14). And so it came to be. The Apostle Paul headed down the road that led to intense suffering. And God had His
way in him...and in them!

Recently my grandson was in the hospital for many days. It was hard in him and agonizing on us. Other friends have been beset with injuries, disease, relationship problems, financial crises, and a host of other challenges. We ache with them.

Witnessing the suffering of precious loved ones and close friends, I am seeing more clearly what the Apostle Paul wrote even from his experience with many trials of his own and among his loved ones:

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us...”—to ALL of us!

May God give ALL of us His grace and power to dedicate our precious loved ones to His mission, regardless of the price they may pay to fulfill His will for their lives...and ours!

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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