Have you ever been on a roll with outstanding testimonies and results, zealous to press on and then boom comes a restraint! Such is the description played out in our text, reading from verses 5-10.

So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day. Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there. Acts 16:5-10 NLT

We are not told by what medium the Holy Spirit spoke to them, but we see lessons of sensitivity and submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit not the results of what they had done! What grace is it to seek and wait for the leading of the owner of the work!

From verse 9 above we see God’s plan unfolding, laying the groundwork **because God:

1. needed Paul and Barnabas elsewhere.
2. wanted them to be more seasoned before embarking on such a major mission.

Note the words, ‘They tried to go…but the Spirit…would not let them.’ How reassuring! God loves you so much that He will save you from your own misguided plans. The Canadian preacher A. B. Simpson said: ‘Often there’s nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will.’ Today God may be saying to you, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted [in this situation]’ (Psalm 46:10 NKJV). Please pay attention!** — **Culled from Word for Today

Shalom


Pastor Afolabi Oladele