Acts 16:9 And a Vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
The Holy Spirit had closed the doors to several cities for Paul and Silas. (Acts 16:6-7) They did not insist on going to these cities to preach the Gospel but obeyed the Holy Spirit and moved on to Traos. Paul did not know why the doors were closed to these places but they did not question God. They trusted God and acted in obedience even though they didn’t know the circumstances.
Then, the Holy Spirit gave Paul a vision that was not of closed doors but of clear direction for their ministry. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9)
All God asks of us is to trust Him and act in obedience to Him. In this case, God spoke to Paul through a Vision and gave him specific direction. Prior to this God had shut doors but now, He was opening a door that would later prove to be very beneficial to the Kingdom of God.
The man in the Vision was a pagan who was seeking to know God. This is the typical cry of a lost soul crying out for help. This is still the case today as we come into contact with lost, hurting people every day who are crying out to God’s people for help. Unfortunately, much of the time they are ignored and cast aside. God has a plan for their life too and what they need is to know that Jesus loves them and gave His Life for them. Our job is to tell them that.
Paul and Silas’s trip to Macedonia opened up the Western World to the Gospel of Christ. This was the beginning of what we know as Western Civilization. The enemy fought Paul and Silas using demonic spirits and fallen angels to stop them but he did not succeed because they were persistent in their quest to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Such is the case today as we see the enemy attacking the Body of Christ in every way possible. The war in the spirit realm is fierce and deadly. If God would allow us to see the spiritual warfare, I doubt most of us could bear it.
As Job said, Though He slay me, I will trust Him. (Job 13:15) We must maintain our faith and trust in Christ knowing that God’s Plan is far better than anything we could dream up. Will we have trials and temptations? Yes. Will the enemy attack us? Yes. Will everything be easy and pleasant? No.
Consider the life of the Apostle Paul and everything he went through for the Cause of Christ and the Words of Jesus’ brother, James. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-3)
Trials and tribulations will……….turn the tide……….in your life!
Though He slay me, I will trust Him. Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
