Daily devotion – the just shall live by faith
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Listening to Pastor Marlon’s message Sunday night as he taught through Acts 16, telling us of the time the Holy Spirit did not permit Paul to continue in the direction and plans he was heading, made me think again of how God leads.
Act 16:7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
Paul didn’t set out to go to Troas. It was at least the third choice for him. But it was the Holy Spirit’s plan to lead him there. Paul, beautifully responsive to the Holy Spirit, was willing to lay down his will and his plans for the direction that the Holy Spirit brings.
Paul was guided by hindrance. The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors.
David Livingstone wanted to go to China, but God sent him to Africa. William Carey wanted to go to Polynesia, but God sent him to India. Adoniram Judson went to India, but God guided him to Burma. God guides us along the way, to just the right place.
But in all of this is Paul’s wonderful attitude to the Lord changing his plans. How do I react when God sets a course for me that was not my original direction?
Over time I have learnt and am still learning that God’s leading is so much easier and fruitful than mine. But because God leads it does not necessarily mean things will go smoothly. Over the years I have heard from many people making wrong decisions the support for their direction being, “God opened all the doors.”
Yes, God can open and close doors, the Bible speaks of that. But just because a door opens does not necessarily mean God is the one directing this path.
Would Paul have been thinking such when he was being beaten, then thrown in prison? Or would he have had second thoughts on the matter?
The key to God’s leading in this situation was Paul’s complete trust in God, in spite of what circumstances confronted him. Paul was a man who lived by faith!
May we be at constant peace with God’s leading no matter the trials and storms that He may lead us into. Ultimately God knows where we need to be and what we need to be doing.
Such an attitude of faith and trust in God means that the peace of God never leaves you, even when the rods struck against Paul’s back. Even when he found himself locked hand and feet in prison.
Thus we find Paul and Silas singing….still praising…and God’s will being done!
Hallelujah!