WORD PROCESSORS
by Bill Sayer
Before computing became as popular as it is today, many offices had a machine called a word processor that a typist could use to create and store documents. It was essentially a hybrid between an old mechanical typewriter and a computer that we all have today.
We too, are “word processors” of all that God would have us learn, declare, or put into practice in our lives. (Psalm 68:11 NKJV). The question is, do we do this accurately and faithfully?
In Acts 20, whilst Paul was about to leave Ephesus, he spoke these words:
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (Acts 20:22)
When Paul arrived in Caesarea, we read: After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'”(Acts 21:10, 11)
The Christians of Caesarea, upon hearing this, pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. They had accepted God’s word through Agabus, but didn’t want Paul to be arrested and possibly killed, so they tried to dissuade him from going. As spiritual “word processors”, the Christians of Caesarea allowed their emotions to affect and amend the Holy Spirit’s word. We see a similar situation with Jesus announcing His desire to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, whilst Peter attempts to stop Him (Matthew 16:21 – 23).
Can you imagine the problems that might happen were an old word processor to have the ability to change certain words that a typist had entered? It could lead to some important documents being materially altered with possibly disastrous results.
The Christians of Caesarea needed to learn that God’s word could be trusted. Likewise, we too need to trust our Heavenly Typist that the words He impresses upon our hearts are exactly what He has in mind, even if we believe that the outworking of His word might cause issues and problems.
A meditation for today:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5 – 7)