How To Get to Where God Wants You to Go
(Acts 25:1-12)
W. H. Griffith on p. 467 on his outlines in Acts gives this great illustration:
"An elderly Christian woman, very poor but noted for her constant activity, was laid aside by illness and her neighbors asked her how she could bear it? She answered, "When I was well, the Lord, said, "Betty, go here and Betty go there, but now He says, "Betty, lie still and cough! She had learned the lesson of life in relation to the will of God; and something like this must have been Paul’s experience as he was cut off (and unjustly so) from his desired activities for the gospel."
1. Have you ever wondered what it takes to get to where God wants you to go? For most Christians it is a matter of a Spirit directed mind over matter. They do not mind so hardships do not matter. Also, many people fail to reach the goals God has for them because they are unaware of His will for their life. Paul listened closely to the voice of God so he knew the direction God had for every aspect of his life. In this passage, Paul provides us with a fine example of a man who knew where God wanted him to be – Rome.
The Lord used the harassment and imprisonment to direct him to a valuable ministry in Rome where he would not only witness, but write some of the most important letters of history that are now contained in the New Testament that have changed billions of lives.
In order to get to Rome, Paul had to cut through a maze of Jewish plots. The Jews made many complaints about Paul, but were unable to prove any of them. Still, Paul knew it would take every ounce of his legal, political and spiritual wisdom to outwit them. The Jewish accusers were shameless as they were willing to perjure themselves to see Paul’s case shifted to their own court.
If we are going to reach the goals God sets for us it will require a great deal of determination, savvy and toughness in the face of stiff opposition. Ask the Lord to help you grow in your determination savvy and moral firmness.
2. Paul knew how to cut through legal and religious opposition. Governor Festus was not that eager to condemn an innocent man to death so he gladly obliged Paul and had his case sent to Caesar in Rome. Festus also feared the wrath of Rome for making a wrong decision without seeking their counsel.
Paul knew his rights as a citizen of Rome. He insisted on standing on his constitutional rights since he called for a tribunal in Rome.
Consult the very best experts when you find yourself facing opposition. Trust the Lord to give you the best advocates.
3. Paul knew how to get around the indifference of people. Festus was not a man who enjoyed confrontation. He hated the provincial strife that took time away from his enjoyments. Basically, Paul knew that Festus was indifferent to the squabbles that the Jews had with some of their religious zealots. Consequently, Paul called for the powers that be to hear his case.
Paul knew that the authorities work to defend the cause of the innocent or punish the guilty.
When you know you are in the right utilize all your legal, constitutional and moral rights afforded to you.
Ask the Lord to help you to consult experts in all necessary areas to help represent your case in the best light.
4. Paul relied on God who exposed the Jewish hypocrites trying to discredit him. The Lord worked in the heart of Governor Felix to leave word about Paul’s case with Festus. Consequently, it became clear to Governor Festus that the Jews were trying to use the Roman officials to do away with their nemesis – Paul. Roman pride became angry with the Jews who thought they could use their oppressors do to their dirty work for them. The Romans were led to keep Paul alive, allowing him to write his famous epistles in Rome.
The Roman leaders used Paul’s protection to send the Jews a message of their authority, control and independence from religious affairs.
Ask the Lord to intervene with His good providence on behalf of all the persecuted Christians.
5. Paul’s respectful, wise and eloquent presentation won the day.
It is amazing how a personal appeal can be effective with even the most immoral of men. Festus was impressed with the way Paul presented his case using tact, diplomacy and wise legal maneuvers.
Ask the Lord to help you prepare your heart, mind and spirit as you present your case before your judges.
6. Paul used honest facts to remind everyone of their responsibilities. Festus did not want to be guilty of failing to fulfill his obligations before Roman law.
Ask the Lord to help you to be fully aware of everyone’s responsibilities. Be well-advised to enjoy a sense of well-being.
Conclusion: Martin Luther said before the Pope’s council of Worms, “One truth smites down a host of lies.”
Song: Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
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HYMN HISTORY:
A young woman sat in a prayer meeting over eighty years ago. She was so pressed down by the weight of despair that she was hardly able to concentrate on what the speaker was saying.
Adelaide Pollard had a burden for the continent of Africa and was convinced that God wanted her to go there as a missionary. She had been on the very point of sailing away but then had to cancel everything, because the necessary funds just couldn’t be raised. You can imagine her disappointment.
As she sat there the words of a prayer, often uttered by an old lady she knew, came into her thoughts: ’It’s all right, Lord! It doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives; just have your own way with us!’
In a moment her burden had lifted as she bowed in submission to the will of God.
Running home that night she meditated on the story of the potter, recorded by Jeremiah:
’Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand oft he potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.’ Jeremiah 18:34.
These words seemed to fit Miss Pollard’s own life and experiences exactly.
Adelaide Pollard had been born in Iowa in 1862. She had been well educated and for several years taught in a girl’s school. She also had a talent for writing, both prose and poetry, and produced many religious artides, as well as a few hymns.
But her real concern was for the lost. She longed to see them reached with the message of Christ Jesus. Eventually, she began a ministry in Bible teaching and, travelling widely throughout the United States, spoke to numerous groups and churches.
Miss Pollard was also passionately interested in foreign missions. For a while she taught at the Missionary Training Institute at Nyack, New York and hoped that she would, herself, be a missionary one day. However, now it seemed that God, who had been with her all her life, was suddenly deserting her.
’But,’ she thought, ’perhaps my questioning of God’s will shows a flaw in my life, so God has decided to break me, as the potter broke the defective vessel, and then to mould my life again - in His own pattern,’
As she bowed in humble consecration before God, the words of a poem took shape in her mind, and she wrote:
Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter;
I am the clay.
Mould me and make me
after Thy will,
While I am waiting,
yielded and still.
Adelaide Pollard had learned that even Christians can be self-centred, self-possessed and self-willed. Even when doing God’s work, like her planned trip to Africa, she had to be careful lest it be done in the wisdom and strength of self.
In God’s own time he allowed her to go to Africa. She also spent several years in England during the first World War, returning later to her travelling ministry in the USA.
