The Spirit Gives Determination and Courage
“And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the God’s grace.”
(Acts 20:22–24 NASB)
The verses above present a biblical example of the Holy Spirit doing a unique work in someone’s life. And remember, if He did it then, He can do it today. In times of threatening fears, the Spirit prompts calm determination and courage. Something Paul experienced in this regard during his third missionary journey is worth a second look.
This is a deeply emotional and moving account because the apostle is saying goodbye to his longtime friends from Ephesus. Adding to the emotion was the realization that he probably would not see them again.
Initially what I find interesting and intriguing is that Paul says he is “bound by the Spirit.” I think he means that he is “bound by the Holy Spirit” rather than being tied up in knots within his own spirit. In other words, he was captured in thoughts of, surrounded by the presence of, unable to get away from the reminders of God’s heaven-sent Helper.
In some supernatural manner, the Spirit communicated with Paul’s spirit as he “solemnly testified,” saying, in effect, “You’re in for trouble, Paul. No matter what city you enter, you are going to encounter intensified trouble.” (That is exactly what happened.) A threatening fear could have seized him and sidetracked him. But it didn’t. Why? Because Paul was not all that important to Paul. Remember what he wrote on another occasion?
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. (Philippians 1:21–22 NASB)
Strictly from the human viewpoint, when you and I know that trouble and afflictions await us, we are frightened. That does not occur when the Spirit of God brings a sense of reassurance.
Could this not explain the relentless courage and determination of the martyrs and the missionaries of years gone by? If you’re like me, when you read about their lives, you shake your head and think, “I cannot imagine how they endured such trials! How did they continue in such threatening times? It was the Spirit of God! They were “bound by the Spirit” in the midst of those threatening fears.
When we fly closer to the flame, an unidentified inner prompting often says to our spirits, “I am here. I am aware of what you are going through. I know of the threats. I will take you through them.”
Taken from Flying Closer to the Flame by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1993 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
