Bible Reading: Psalm 13, 14 & 15; Acts 19:21-41
“…Paul purposed in the spirit…” Acts 19:21 (KJV)
Life will always throw challenges along our path, especially as Christians. This is because we live in a world that we are not part of. We are not part of it because the rules that guides our decisions are made by heaven. So the world naturally makes it difficult for us with the aim of bending us into its mode. There are many whose decisions are being forced to change by the systems of the world. It takes more than just making up our minds to keep to decisions that will bring God glory.
Job, the richest man in the east then, had a challenge. He had lost his children, business and many things he owns. He was advised by his own wife to curse God and die. But Job purposed in his heart not to give up. He said, “if a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” Job 14:14 (KJV). Decisions made in the spirit made Job endure to the end.
Daniel also purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the kings meat, nor with the wine which the king drank (Daniel 1:8). At the end, Daniel and the three Hebrews with him were full of understanding and wisdom in all matters that the king inquired of them. God loves it when we make our decisions from the heart and stick to it. Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plot, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God” Luke 9:62 (KJV).
God takes pleasure in those who make these heart decisions and don’t draw back (Hebrews 10:38). Remember, “the spirit of man is the candle of the LORD” Proverbs 20:27a (KJV). And God’s Spirit inspires man through his spirit (Job 32:8). God’s Spirit will come in to support us and embolden us when making heavenly backed decisions. Paul made so many heart decisions like in today’s verse. No wonder he became the chiefest apostle because God had pleasure in him.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your Spirit which guides my decision making in all matters.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu