And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulation await me. Acts 20:22-23
Purposefully walking into extreme difficulties is something that very few people would be willing to do, especially if it probably meant unlawful imprisonment. People desire things to be easy, though they may not mind a little difficulty, just not too much. They will then choose to take a different route or a different location to head for, rather than going through hard times.
In Acts, Luke writes that Paul tells the people that the Holy Spirit is binding him to go to Jerusalem, though not knowing what will happen there, other than the Holy Spirit said chains and troubles await him in every city.
Prior to walking into a difficult and dangerous situation most people will take an assessment of the value of going in. They will balance the rewards of going into extreme trouble against the dangers that may come from it. As long as the reward is high enough for the individual, one may go in for the job to be done.
The world will often go into trouble when the outcome is great wealth, fame or position in the end, if one succeeds, and the chance of success is much better than failure. Bets are made against the trouble that may arise in the process for a better outcome.
God will lead His followers on paths that do not always appear to be safe. Sometimes there will be a guarantee of severe problems in order to walk down that path.
No matter how bad the problems are, believers must see that the path is needed to build His kingdom. The reward is that lives are saved from death due to sin.
As you go down the path of life, you will have choices to make on which path you will walk. God will lead you down paths that you cannot fully see or know but do know that trouble probably awaits you at the destination.
Do not be afraid to follow the path God has for you. Be willing to walk into extreme danger in order to build His kingdom. People are dying in sin and need to hear about Jesus. You may be the one to bring that message to them.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will lead you on the path that He wants you on; that you will trust God in spite of danger; and that God will use you to build His kingdom.
Photo by Jose Fontano on Unsplash
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