Friday, September 29, 2017
Acts 19:21-24 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also." He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen.
OUR LONG RANGE PLANS
The Lord would grant Paul's desire to go to Jerusalem, and also fulfill his determination to see Rome, though perhaps not quite in the way that Paul was thinking when he stated these objectives, for he would almost be torn apart in Jerusalem, spend years in prison, and then go in chains to Rome.
We too have long range goals, don't we? And when the day to day events aren't quite what we expected, the Lord may still grant our long-range desire. But He may have some training in mind that we do not anticipate. He may lead us through some difficult times so that we will be equipped to help someone down the road (and out of sight). He may give us patience by letting some tribulation come our way. So we should not be discouraged, but continue to seek strength and guidance from our Savior.
The opposition from the silversmiths did not stop the gospel in Ephesus, and the power of that gospel in Paul's life prevented the temptations of wealth from side-tracking him. He remembered how Jesus had left the riches of heaven for him, and had given up earth's greatest treasure (His own life) for him. May we always remember that this is also true for us.
