And now, 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 me. Acts 20:22,23
This may come as a great surprise to some but when I was a little boy I was not always perfectly behaved. One occasion when I was deemed to be naughty occurred as the family was travelling home from River John in the car. In anger at something one of my sisters said to me, I struck at her and made her cry. My father, instead of pulling the car over and dealing with the situation immediately, informed me very clearly and loudly that I would be punished when we got home. Terrified of the judgment that was coming, I slunk down in the seat. But my sisters did not allow me to forget, reminding me every few minutes that I was going to ‘get it’ when we reached home. It was a very uncomfortable trip, almost as uncomfortable as what happened to me when we arrived. But I had nobody to blame but myself. How much more overwhelmed must Paul have felt to know that he was facing prison and affliction when he arrived at Jerusalem.
The bonds and affliction that Paul was facing had nothing to do with misbehaviour. In fact, he was going to Jerusalem in response to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and with a clear conscience, and with the assurance of dire circumstances. And yet, he was not dreading what was to come; he was eagerly anticipating it. The circumstances held no fear for him, because he knew that everything was in God’s hands and according to God’s purposes. You and I are also setting out on a journey, into a new year with all of what can lie ahead for us. Just as in every year, there will be trials and struggles, pain and disappointment, although we don’t have the certainty of trouble that Paul had. But like Paul, we can venture forth, knowing that our Lord is leading the way and whatever befalls us is according to His will and purpose.
What lies before us in the coming months and seasons? We cannot know. But there are reasons to expect rough waters during the journey. For those of us who are growing older, the prospects of illness and infirmity loom greater each year. As economic uncertainty increases around us, the danger of financial setbacks is always present. As morality collapses about us in a world that has no interest in the claims of a holy God, the risk of running afoul of evildoers grows more each year. There are many reasons to expect some degree of pain and trouble this year. But these things should not dismay us, any more than they dismayed the apostle. Like him, we need to make sure we are doing what the Lord would have us to do. And as long as we are confident of the Spirit’s leading, the year’s events are going to be just fine.
We don’t know what 2024 holds; all we know is that the Lord wants to lead us through it. Let us submit to His leading. – Jim MacIntosh