Every Step Of The Way

That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” [Acts 23.11]

So, Jerusalem was not the destination (considering all the witnesses of the Holy Spirit that said Paul was going to Jerusalem).

I don't recall anyone saying, by the Spirit or otherwise, that Paul would be going to Rome until this verse above.

Obviously we cannot know every story of every person Paul encountered in his incarceration. But we can be sure of this: Paul had a knack for speaking to whomever he came into contact with. In today's One Year Chronological Bible Reading alone, we have several instances of conversations by Paul with both individuals and groups. 

Paul was a "witness" to the change of heart made by God through the work of the Holy Spirit because of the work of Jesus Christ. He left his 'witness stamp' everywhere he went. God apparently chose to use Paul's willingness to witness in Rome via Jerusalem. Be sure of it, God had a plan.

Going to Jerusalem was one thing. Going to Rome was another thing altogether. Jerusalem was the center of Judaism, Rome was the center of the world at that time. 

Is it possible that Paul would have never believed he would witness in Rome? Was there something important Paul needed to learn in Jerusalem that would uniquely prepare him for ministry in Rome? We can only assume so. 

But Paul could find assurance in the fact that he and the Holy Spirit remained in close communication. We never see any reason to believe Paul ever had a moment of doubt about his lot in life. To the contrary, Paul was bold about every step of the way.

If that's not a lesson for us, nothing is! God is leading us every step of the way.

Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit leading and guiding me every step of the way. I want to be confident in every move I make - that it is in Your plan and will for the testimony of Jesus Christ in the earth!