2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 2 Kings 18:13-19:37 ESV, Acts 21:1-17 ESV, Psalm 149:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 18:8 ESV
Daily Verse: “And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:14 ESV)
PEITHO (3982): “In the active voice, signifies “to apply persuasion, to prevail upon or win over, to persuade, “bringing about a change of mind by the influence of reason or moral considerations.”[i]
Apply persuasion.
Paul, in Caesarea, received a warning from Agabus that the Gentiles would capture him if he went to Jerusalem. Fearing for Paul’s life, those who heard the prophecy begged Paul not to go.
“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.” (Acts 21:13 ESV)
The crowd couldn’t persuade Paul not to go. Knowing his mission, Paul went to Jerusalem, accompanied by some of the disciples from Caesarea. When God called Paul into action, he went, not letting fear stop him.
Call to action.
Writing devotionals takes me out of my comfort zone. At times, putting my heart on paper for the world to see petrifies me. Yet I know God calls me to write. I know this because I can’t help but write; the prompting from within overcomes any fears I have. Considering God my boss, if I’m not writing, I’m not doing His work.
Paul couldn’t help but go to Jerusalem, despite the risks, because he knew God wanted him to go in his heart. No one knows what lies in another person’s heart. Our unique relationship with God makes our callings different.
God calls each of us to action. What divine tasks God assigns vary from person to person. No one can fulfill God’s call on your life but you. Aligning our hearts with Jesus’s will give us divine purpose. No fears will stop us; no doubts discourage us as we live our lives for the applause of nail-scarred hands.
Whatever God wants you to do, do it. Love Him and others to the best of your ability. Go wherever God sends you; love who He places before you. Respond to God’s call on your life as Paul did with all you got!
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 196) Thomas Nelson
