Acts 21:7-14 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.… As the days went on, the pressure upon the heart of Paul increased. The house of Philip the evangelist the scene of the last great test of his preparation for the future. The four virgin daughters, and Agabus from Jerusalem, repeated the prophetic warnings; but no one said by the voice of the Spirit, "Go not." Human voices must sometimes be resisted. Weeping may break a heart, but it ought not to break a resolution formed in the sight of God and by his Spirit. 1. An example of lofty spiritual discernment. Distinguishing between human voices and Divine; between a prospect of suffering and a prospect of defeat; between being bound in body and being bound in spirit - Paul was rejoicing in the liberty of his soul, it was of little consequence to him what they might do with his limbs - between the plots and enmity of men and the victorious grace of God. 2. An encouragement to steadfastness in doing the Divine will. We must not listen to persuasions when God calls us on. We must be ready for all; but, the course being once clearly opened to us, then a humble fixedness of heart is the best preparation for the path of duty. 3. An instance of the controlling influence of character in the Christian Church. The weaker yield to the stronger if the stronger remain firm. Those that think much of external difficulties and dangers have to be lifted out of their weakness by the words and example of the loftier and more heroic souls. - R. Parallel Verses KJV: And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. |
    |