Acts 20:23,24

It was the unmasked intent of the enemy to sabotage and derail the apostle’s “next moves” with fear, panic and dreaded confusion, as he is trying to do to so many of us, moving into 2024. I think it goes without saying that this year is not going to be an easy one either. Like 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 – tribulations of another kind await us. The enemy so knowing that his time is even shorter, not only walks about seeking whom he may devour, but with even more unbridled viciousness he prowls about to wreak as much havoc as time would allow.

Let us always keep in mind Revelations 12:12, “. . . woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.” Like you, I remain so convinced that now is no time for us to play church! Really if we are going to serve God, let us with great seriousness, serve God. This thought must be seriously underlined in the consciousness of this church – the shortness of time! All that we do, we must do urgently, carefully, and painstakingly well.

May I also caution us, that now is no time to give in to panic and pandemonium. We have already been warned. As the apostle knew the end was nearing and as he set out to go to Jerusalem for the last time all he was told repeatedly was that “bonds and afflictions” awaited him (23). For many this would have been an absolute deterrent, a no-go, a no-show, a real reason to cancel the trip, sighting unforeseen, untenable conditions, but not the apostle Paul. His mind was made up. He understood the reality of complexities as the journey continued and instead of recoiling and flinching, he moves full speed ahead! No turning back! It will get hard and tempestuous but honestly now is no time to turn back! The same Holy Ghost who forewarns us about the difficulties ahead will also give us grace to bear up under any untoward and difficult circumstances.

Therefore, I just wanted to come out and tell somebody that prophecy concerning us is not always of great ease and joyful prosperity, but sometimes we are told things we don’t want to hear – “. . . bonds and affliction” ahead. Hard times will come. We will have our share of troubles, trials, pain, and grief. It will not be easy but like the great apostle we remain firm, fixed, and settled declaring repeatedly and forcefully “But none of these things move me . . .” (24).  We resolutely rise up and embrace all the hardships and trauma of 2024.

Really, I think none of us needs convincing at this point that the same God of 2023 shall take us through 2024. We who have begun in joy shall continue in joy, seriously meaning to finish in joy, with our testimony of victory intact (vv 26, 27, 33-35). May God help us to finish what God started in us. Paul was able to testify “I’ve done my best, give you my all, held back nothing of God’s will for you” (Message Bible). I pray that at the end of 2024, we may so testify. We fearlessly embrace 2024 in spite of inconvenient prophesies!