MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
21 Now after these events Paul purposed in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
Acts 19:21-22
Purposed in The Spirit
This passage sets the tone for the remainder of Acts as Paul is making his way to Rome via Jerusalem carrying with him the good news about Jesus and His resurrection! Now there are a couple of words in this passage that I want to sink our teeth into today and we find those words in verse 21. It says that “Paul was purposed in The Spirit”, that Paul was not going to Macedonia and Achaia and eventually to Jerusalem by happenstance or by his instincts but Paul goes to these places by the guidance of the Holy Spirit!
This clarifies that the person of the Holy Spirit, one of the three members of the Triune God (Father, Son, Spirit), is active in the lives of Jesus’ followers! It is the Holy Spirit that prompts us, it is the holy Spirit that convicts us it is the Holy Spirit that comforts us, and as we see in this text, it is the Holy Spirit that purposes us!
The question then is asked of us is, “when was the last time that you were purposed by the Holy Spirit to go, to speak, or to do?” Do we have a sensitivity in our hearts to recognize the Spirit’s prompting and do we have the courage to say yes?
Today, may we have a sensitivity to God’s leading as we go into our corner of the world with the Good News about Jesus.
Reflection
Why is it hard to notice the promptings of the Holy Spirit? Why?
Prayer
Our Father,
Thank you for your Word. We pray that by your Spirit, Acts 19:21-22 would change us into the likeness of Christ. We thank you that your Spirit is alive and active, that you have not left us alone but you have sent your Spirit as a deposit in our lives. We pray for a sensitive heart today, that we would hear from you and live purposed by your Spirit! We pray all these things in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
