Tension slowly continues to build as we follow Paul on his journey back to Jerusalem where he will ultimately be arrested. Though his companions urge him to abandon the trip, Paul is determined: he insists “I am ready,” and they respond, “Let the will of the Lord be done” (Acts 20:13-14). I can imagine Paul singing some of the hymns we’ll sing in this morning’s service, expressing his determination to follow the path God has set forth. Surely lines such as “leading onward, leading homeward” (O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus), “in duty’s path go on” (O Put Your Trust In God), “I hear and will follow Thy call” (O Thou In Whose Presence), “We would learn to be content with when and where You lead” (Calm Content), and “what He says we will do, where He sends we will go” (Trust And Obey) would resonate with a man willing to go to his doom for the sake of the Gospel. The Lord calls all of us at times to walk through trials and hardships. I pray that we would all take inspiration from Paul’s example and from these hymns we sing. May “courage fill your heart as on the Lord You wait” (O Lord, Teach Me To Follow You—Psalm 27). May we be able to say, like doubtless Paul would, “Let my hands perform Thy bidding, let my feet run in His ways” (All For Jesus).
—Henry C. Haffner
