“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” ~ Acts 20:24 

Paul was on his final journey as a free man. He was bound in his spirit to go to Jerusalem. Along the way the Holy Spirit told him over and over again that bonds and afflictions waited for him there. Paul was not being disobedient to the Holy Spirit in going forward: the Holy Spirit was preparing him for the trials ahead. Paul stated in Acts 20:22, “…not knowing the things that shall befall me there.” Even so, he pressed on in his journey. 

As we are not in a new year, while we hope for good things to come, the truth is that none of “know the things that shall befall us”. My calendar is filling up with events and appointments, but there is no assurance that they will come to pass or be the successes that I hope for. I can plan and dream but God may have other plans and dreams for me. 

Paul, not knowing more than what the Holy Spirit had warned him about, could only go forward under the leadership of that same Holy Spirit. He had no control over the circumstances, but he did have control over how he would face them. In Acts 20:24 he resolved that circumstances would not move him from his steadfastness in the Lord. His mind would remain focused upon the course of following God’s perfect will for his life, and living for the glory of the Lord Jesus would remain his one true purpose in life! 

May we follow the example of the great Apostle and determine that by God’s grace we will also finish our course with joy, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in during this new year. 

Pastor Bish