WHEN GOD FORBIDS

Acts16:6-7 VW
Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

Dear Believer,

One of the most important concepts in your relationship with God is that of divine guidance. Believers don’t just do things, go somewhere or make important decisions just because they feel like doing so.

Once you become a Believer, the Holy Spirit determines the course of your life and you must let Him lead you.

For instance, the decisions you will make in marriage, ministry, business, where to live, what to do and so on are more important to Him than they are to you.

In the scripture focus for today, we see how Paul and his team were going through cities to preach the Word of God. It was their plan to preach in Asia, but ‘they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit.’ Next, they tried preaching in Mysia, but ‘the Spirit did not permit them.’

One of the reasons for tragedies in the ministry today is that many Believers are trying to do the work of God in their own way. And one of the greatest reasons for failure in a Believer’s life is not being concerned about the will of God.

God wants everyone saved, yet He directed Paul and his team not to preach the message of Salvation in those two places mentioned above. Does that mean He hated the people there and wanted them to perish?

No. The truth about the matter is that God has a plan and timing for everything. Asia (Minor) would still receive the Gospel, but not at that time.

And why not at that time?

We may never know. It is sometimes pointless to try to understand God’s reasons for leading us in certain directions. We get to know some of these reasons somewhere down the line, and only eternity would reveal others. All we are required to do is to trust and obey the Lord.

And I must warn you that divine leading doesn’t mean you’ll always find everything rosy. Paul eventually received divine leading to go to Macedonia. In that region, he was beaten and thrown into prison because he cast out a demon from a girl. But at the end of it all, God was glorified. (Acts 16:16-40)

For our life to have any meaning before God, we must do what He wants us to do and live how He wants us to live. Many Believers’ lives are meaningless and irrelevant in the divine scheme of things because they have organized God out of their existence. It is all about their will and never about the will of God.

If God has brought you here and secured your salvation, it becomes a given that He has a plan for you. It also becomes a given that you can’t live anyhow.

The life that God has for you will be uncovered in phases and stages as you obey and live in the Word. A vibrant fellowship with the Spirit of God in prayer and the Word of God brings you into a place of powerful divine connection that is constant. Your senses of seeing and hearing in the Spirit are sharpened. You are able to discern the will of God and you have the strength to do it.

God wants to live through you. As He works in you to do His good pleasure, do not resist.

Trust and over Him.

Have a great day.

Your friend,
Deon.

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