It was when Paul and his companions reached Caesarea and were staying at the house of Philip for a number of days.
One day, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea to meet Paul. He took a belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said,
“The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”
The belt Agabus tied his own hands and feet with was Paul’s. Hearing this, the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 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.”
At his words, they gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
After this, Paul and his companions left for Jerusalem.
The Apostle Paul walked the preordained way for the gospel even though he knew that what hardship he would go through in Jerusalem by the opponents. He did not give in to all the hardship he faced in the process of spreading the gospel, but stood up against it boldly.
The forefathers of faith walked the path of the righteous, and bore up under the pain of unjust suffering. They only looked forward to the heavenly blessings, remembered God, and had a goal to carry out their missions.
Those who want to live righteously for the kingdom of God are to suffer hardships. They are mistreated by the world that hates and denies God who came to the earth, as God was. It’s because they are walking the same path God walked.
Remembering the sacrifice of God who has walked the path of the gospel before us, let us never forget our mission of the gospel. Unimaginable rewards in heaven are for those who have a firm will and a dauntless courage enabling them not to waver before any hardships.