ESOCS Devotional 14 July 2025 – A Die-Hard Resolve For Excellence
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Paul answered, Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13 NIV
TEXT: ACTS 21:1-14
Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. 4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. 5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. 6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. 8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
Dating back to the days of the ancients, the path to ministry excellence or resounding success in God’s service had never been smooth or easy to travel. As recorded in 1 Samuel Chapter 17, the Philistine Giant named Goliath arrogantly defied the armies of Israel. It took a die-hard determination by David to brace up, challenge and defeat the hitherto undefeated world military champion of the time (1 Samuel 17:44-51). It follows therefore that to excel in ministry – even in the secular sphere, one needs an unshakable determination to brace through threatening challenges.
In the days of the reign of King Ahasuerus of Persia, Law and Custom had it that no uninvited, and officially booked person dared come to the king’s inner court, without being killed, (Esther 4:11). But Esther was determined to counter Haman’s wicked plot against the Jews. She took the highest risk of her life to go against an age-long established law and custom: “If I perish, I perish.” These were God’s servants in their individual capacities. They displayed great determination to ensure that the gate of hell did not prevail against God’s service and ministry (Matthew 16:18).
In our text, even against true prophecies through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not venture into Jerusalem, to save his life, he remained adamant (vv. 4-13). Against the weeping and sorrowing of the disciples, Paul was hell bent on going to Jerusalem for the sake of the word of Jesus Christ.
Suffice it here to state that following his journey to Jerusalem, and the attendant persecution and attempts on his life, that he was moved to Rome for the expansion and propagation of the Gospel. It follows therefore that determined evangelists and ministers should work fearlessly, as they strive for excellence in ministry, even in the face of life-threatening challenges (Acts 7:54-60). It’s a hard road to travel. But the joy of eternal life supersedes all.
CHALLENGES
- Would you rather return to Egypt into slavery or risk through the wilderness journey in to the land of promise?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, you weathered through the odds to victory. Help me, my Lord and Master.
FURTHER READING: Hosea 1:1-11; 2:1-13; Acts 21:15-34
ESOCS Devotional 14 July 2025
