“Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Acts 21:11-14, And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Paul had a clear vision of where he is going, and as did Jesus, he set his face like a flint bearing his cross towards Jerusalem. There were sincere believers around him warning him, even prompted by the same Holy Spirit, as if to test Paul’s resolve. In our own family, we have seen trying circumstances where sincere believers urged us to come down on the side of justice, and we would be justified to do so by the law. Yet by the blood of Jesus, and the recognition of our own deep need for mercy we were able to love the one who had so deeply wounded us. As time goes on, we know that God is moving bringing conviction. We pray that our expression of love is winning the battle even today, for love goes on forever. As the prophet Micah proclaims, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Keep us walking justly, loving kindness as you do, and walking humbly with you today O Lord!

ESV Lectionary