“Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus.’ So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’” Acts 21:12-14

Give Up

Have you ever been desperate enough to beg and plead with someone? You felt your life would end if you had to face the hopelessness, fear, or uncertainty of one more moment under certain circumstances.

This was the situation with the believers and Paul. He was saying his goodbyes. He knew he would never see them again, for it had been prophesied several times that if he was to go to Jerusalem, it would be the end of him. Yet he was determined to go. His friends cried, fell on him, hugged and kissed him. I can just hear their pleas: “Paul, it’s foolishness! You don’t have to do this! Stay safe! Don’t give up your ministry! We need you here with us!”

Paul, though, was ready to die for the Name of Jesus, if it came to that. He was undeterred by their emotional outbursts. Once the believers realized their tears were having no effect, they gave themselves up to the will of God—as Paul had already done years before.

Beg and plead if we must, but in the end we must give up and trust God for the outcome.

Jesus faced a terrible ordeal. I wouldn’t go so far as to say He begged and pleaded with God, but He did pray these words: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). He stated His request with great emotion, sweating drops of blood, but He was submitted to God’s will.

When I REALLY don’t want to give up my will for God’s will, it helps me to remember that He is a good God. He has planned good things for me; He works out everything for my good; He gives good gifts. Returning to this thought again and again reassures me that even if I am hurting, God will use it for His kingdom purposes. He used Paul’s imprisonment to write letters of encouragement to churches and to testify to our Lord’s grace. He used Jesus’s death on the cross to atone for our sins. We could look at many other biblical examples where men and women inwardly struggled mightily against what was being asked of them, yet God always brought good to them and glory to Himself.

The question is: Are we willing to be used by Him in whatever way He chooses?

“Father, may we be submitted to You in every way. We give up and trust You. Amen.”