Acts 21:1-15

 Posture

And kneeling down on the beach we prayed and said farewell to one another.

What does your posture say about you? Shoulders back, stand up straight, stooped, looking aside, arms crossed...

Kneeling?

Who kneels for anything? Kneeling in some circumstances is now seen as a sign of defiance and a show of some kind of injustice.  Kneeling is a mockery in public now.

But twice now, we see Paul and his beloved company united, on their knees, in dependent, thankful, petitioning, and earnest fellowship of prayer.  Maybe they looked silly on the beach, but they don't care. 

We kneel to show with our bodies the meaning of the Authority, worthiness of worship (that might be a tautology) and Sovereignty of God. Regardless of the impending danger, the prophecy, the grief at missing one another, the importance of their journey, they stop, kneel and pray.

We either have God say to us "thy will be done" and we run off into eternal separation, or we say "thy will be done" and run into dependence upon him. To be saved from God is to run to him. We cannot save our own lives, we live or die by his providence. Paul is ready for this. There are those who cry for the rocks to fall on them because of the justice of God coming, but Paul cries that the power of God in all suffering comes so that He gets the glory, and that His will is done.

Are you ready for whatever God uses you for? What kind of vessel are you in preparation for his purposes. Kneel, be purified, be ready.

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 

-- Paul in his 2nd letter to Timothy