September 26, 2003 Friday
Crossing the Borders (Acts 21:8-14)

Borders separate territories; sometimes they are easily crossed without thought and sometimes they can only be crossed by exerting the most extreme of all measures. God is constantly revealing new borders in our lives that we have yet to traverse, borders that are keeping us from becoming absolutely surrendered to Him...has God revealed such a border in your life lately? The borders that we must cross in our life for Christ will be totally impassible through the feeble strength of our flesh, on one side lies our will, on the other lies the will of God. When Agabus the Prophet bound his hands and feet to Paul's girdle and told him that he would soon be bound in a similar manner, Paul's companions reacted in Acts 21:12 saying, "when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem." Even though this was God's will, this was a border they feared to cross. Has God laid such a fearful border in your life that He is calling you to traverse?

Despite the fear of his companions, Paul was able to recognize God's leading. Just a short time earlier Paul told the elders of Ephesus, "Behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide in me." (Acts 20:22,23) When Agabus came to Paul with his message from God, Paul was totally prepared to cross this border, but no one else was. Paul said to the elders of Ephesus in Acts 20:24, "None of these things move me" and to his companions in Acts 21:13 he said, "I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Are you prepared to cross the borders with an unshakeable desire to glorify Jesus Christ?

"Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?" (Acts 21:13) Even through our "good intentions" we can quickly become an obstacle to God's will in the life of another person, don't allow this to happen to you. Luke and the other missionary companions of Paul were totally staggered at what was happening; why would God allow His mighty missionary to suffer such a fate? Wouldn't that be a total waste of a perfectly willing vessel in the hands of the Lord? Have you grown to the point of understanding yet where you realize that God's will is often totally incomprehensible and the borders which must be crossed are completely insurmountable by mere human wisdom?

"And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done." (Acts 21:14) It is a futile attempt to step into the path of a person who goes "bound in the spirit" to cross the borders of God's will for their life. "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." (Proverbs 3:7) It is a truly evil thing to stand in the path of God's will, in the life of another or your own. Have you finally ceased from your fleshly wisdom and bowed yourself before the Almighty to say, "Not my will, but thine be done"? Until your heart is transformed into such a sate of unity with the life of Christ you will remain on the opposite side of the border from where God stands.