Page 96 - Grace150 Devotional

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing
what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city
that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any
value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that
I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:22–24
Can you picture this heartfelt goodbye between Paul and his friends? As he
stops by city after city to tie up loose ends and say farewell, he knows, as hard as it
may be, the Spirit is leading him to Jerusalem to share the message about Christ.
Paul knows that jail, suffering, and most likely death are waiting for him there.
Paul is clear in his writings about what motivates him to face it all: “My life is
worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me…the
work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts
20:24 NLT). Acts 21:12 says Christian leaders and friends wept and urged him
not to follow through on his plan. Paul’s response: “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…Lord Jesus.”
There is no life more rewarding or more freeing than one that rests in the same
God and the same eternal hope Paul had. We have nothing to lose and everything
to gain. As we are now slaves to righteousness, let us be bound as if by chains to
this great hope given by Jesus Himself: as we lose our life for His sake we will
find it.
Lord, send us and use us however You choose, that You might be glorified in
us. Remind us, Your church, that our true kingdom is in Heaven and that You
are worthy of our entire lives…all that we have. You are worthy. Take us and
use us for Your glory.
– Matt & Rachel Escher

DAY 89 grace 150