To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain

TWENTY-THREE

From Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus came to Paul and his company, and when he had focused in on Paul, he took Paul's girdle, and binding his own hands and feet he began to prophesy, "The Holy Ghost says, the Jews at Jerusalem, shall bind you just like this, and deliver you into the hands of the Gentiles!"

Horrified, Paul's companions begged him earnestly not to go up to Jerusalem. Why not continue the work of the Lord somewhere else? Safer? Somewhat safer?

"What mean ye to weep and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Seeing that Paul wouldn't be persuaded by their tears, they concluded, "The will of the Lord be done."

One thing about the Lord is that He is not a man that He should lie. Whether His words be of peace and goodness or trial and tribulation, what He speaks will come to pass, and sure enough, Paul was arrested, yet again, beaten, and bound. As he was to be led into the castle, he turned and asked the chief captain, "Can I speak with thee?"

Upon his consent, Paul stood on the stairs and addressed the angry mobs.

Mavy sighed, rolling over in their bed, her hand automatically reaching out for Joel, and noting his place cool to the touch, she thought nothing of it. It wouldn't be the first, nor the last time he woke at the crack of dawn. He said it was ingrained in him, and if he stayed in bed, he would have a headache. It wasn't that she cared, he was kind enough to let her catch a few hours extra of beauty sleep, not saying a word when she stumbled out of bed an hour later, bleary-eyed. She'd learned to position the bedding to make it feel as if he was still there with her, a comforting sensation.

Each day was the same. Once in a while, they would venture out and visit the children, or the markets. Once in a while, they would prolong their trips to the synagogue. Provided they didn't draw too much attention to themselves, all would be well.

It wasn't so much that she despised how her life had turned into a monotonous bore, for she'd grown accustomed to it. Joel wasn't about to change to suit her fancy. If he were content to wake up at dawn and spend a long day doing nothing, that was for him to choose. For her, it was better off that she stayed in bed, even if just lying there in the quiet, communing with God, time would pass by and the day not as long.

She could hardly remember if Daniel had been so calm and relaxed... almost a bore. Unlikely. What she did remember was that it was not often that she was with him as he busied himself around the town.

It would do her no favors to waste away the entire day in bed, she rising from its warmth, spreading her arms over her head, stretching before making the bed and opening the curtains, dropping to her knees before God Almighty, clasping her hands under her chin, her face warmed by the sun.

"Lord, God, Almighty One, King of Creation, how blessed Thou art. How grateful I am to approach You, day after day, to know You bid me welcome. Ah, Lord God! There is none like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, dominion, and power! Who can compare? Who is Your equal? Father God, accept my prayers and petition as I come before You this morning. Early will I see You! In the morning I will direct my face up to You, take not Thy countenance away from me. Strengthen me..."