Day 32: Acts 20:17-38

Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost. He sensed that the Holy Spirit was showing him that he was going to be needed there. He bypassed Ephesus, so when he came to Miletus, he sent word for the Elders from Ephesus to come to him. He talked with them as though he would not see them again. He had spent some time in Ephesus on two journeys and now it was the largest church in the world at the time
We are offered a glimpse into Paul’s motivation for being so driven. He exclaimed that he did not want to do anything in his life except finish what God had laid out for him. The Holy Spirit was letting him know that his life might be in danger and that trials were ahead for him. He was also recalling his life’s work as having gone all out and not shrinking from any challenge that God set before him.
He also warned them of false teachers and people that would try to tear the church apart. He told them that they would come after his departure. Paul reminded them to keep to his teachings and be on alert. He encouraged them to work hard, not give up and to remember the weak.
It was an emotional time, because Paul had spent 3 years in Ephesus and the elders knew they would not see him on earth again. In spite of that, they were all committed to the mission of the Kingdom and not their own comfort.
A curious thing was happening in Paul’s spirit as he was in tune with what God wanted him to do and where God wanted him to go. He also became aware of the cost to his personal life and he sensed the danger ahead. Some people call this premonition. Others perhaps more accurately have described it as a glimpse into the “second heaven.” The first heaven being the physical realm we see, the third heaven being where God’s throne is, and the second heaven the area where angels, demons and the battle occurs. I do not know if that is accurate, but I have heard and experienced that sometimes God will give us a glimpse of what is to come or the enemy’s plan. It may be through a thought, feeling, word, picture, vision, or dream.
Today let us pray: “Lord, give me discernment as I interact with the supernatural. Teach me to trust Your plans and comfort me in knowing what I need to know as I travel on this Kingdom pathway that is not made with human hands.”