09/24/2022
There were times when Paul was prepared to go into a place, and the Holy Spirit stopped him, and directed him elsewhere. There was a need for him where he wanted to go, but it was not God’s will. Has there ever been a time when a similar opportunity presented itself in your life, and yet the Spirit stopped you? Within the will of God there are many roads, but all of them are not ours to travel. How ready are we to change our plans, and go in a different direction, when the Spirit speaks to us? Are we argumentative when our will to act is overruled by God’s will for us to stand down?
“And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”
Acts 16:7 ESV
When Paul wanted to go into Bithynia he was stopped, and told to go Macedonia, but this change of plans, although different from his own desire , was acted on immediately. Paul didn’t struggle against God’s Will… he went where he was told.
“And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
Acts 16:10 ESV
We all have our own desires, our own fears, and our own needs as we seek to be successful at what we do; even in those things we do for the kingdom, and when we are told to stop, or hear that dreadful word “No!” We are inclined to resist it, and argue for our own will. Haven’t we all done this? Haven’t we spent hours sweating in fervent prayer pleading our case before the Lord before finally saying, as Jesus taught us to say…
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10 ESV
And that after sweating blood in intense prayer, Jesus repeated this again. He was teaching us to hear Him as He relinquished His will and accepted God’s in the Garden of Gethsemane…
“And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
Luke 22:41-42 ESV
When we find a piece of low hanging spiritual fruit in our lives we want to pick it right away. When a pastor sees a church that needs a new preacher, and is struggling to find one, he might suffer in prayer when the Lord says “No!”, or “Stop!” to his personal desire to help this congregation. He can’t understand why the Spirit won’t let him move forward because, to his reasoned will, it seems so logical, and he would certainly be successful in serving the Lord there. But, he can’t see what God has in store for that church… he can’t see the young pastor waiting in the wings. He can’t see what he has been told to wait for, or why the Lord has told him to be obediently still… to rest.
““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!””
Psalm 46:10 ESV
When we hear the Holy Spirit say “No!” It is never arbitrary, and the intricate will of God is always being perfectly woven; not simply for us, but for His Glory, and the good of all creation. When we are refused something that would please us, or prosper us, and we argue against it in prayer, we are thinking pridefully, or allowing our desire to get in the way of something much more important. Perhaps you are a brilliant man or woman, but God says “No!” to your desire to serve him on the church board, and instead, gives you a mop and broom. What is happening here? Do you know that there is someone who will see your humble service and come to the Lord because of it? Can you see that your pride has been a thorn in your side, and that it would harm the church if it was allowed to go unchecked? Are you able to see the future good this experience would provide as you go on to witness to your own Asia, or Macedonia?
“And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.”
Acts 16:6 ESV
Sometimes to word “No!” Serves the Kingdom of God better than the word “Go!” Could possibly have done. Are we listening to the Spirit as he directs us, and obeying without a fight?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for all the places you send us as we serve you, but thank you more for those places you stop us from going, or entering into. Teach us to listen intently to your Spirit, and to hear Your voice over our own will. Take away the spears, and fine bows we want to carry for you, and put a sling, and a smooth stone in our hand. Teach us that victory sometimes looks like defeat, and that overcoming death often requires martyrdom. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose ways and thoughts are so far above our own. Praised be your name for every still moment, or peaceful time of rest that your will demands of us. Merciful are you, even as we pick up our crosses and follow Jesus towards Calvary. Hear our prayers as we answer you without argument, or a single note of stubbornness. Wash our feet Jesus as you teach us to wash the feet of those who we perceive to be beneath us, and in this way prepare us to be washed clean of all sin by your blood. Open our hearts, minds, and souls, so that we are transformed, and made to resemble you Jesus on our day of judgement. Let our Father declare us worthy, and seat us with you; obedient children, and deserving to be in His presence forevermore… eternally in His will. We pray in your name that His will be done, and not our own always.
Rich Forbes