He Leadeth Me

Acts 16 

There are times when I desperately wish God would write out His directions for me in the sky, or at least send a text message detailing what He wants me to do. I know His will is made clear in His word, but wouldn’t it be nice to get the specific directions once in a while?

If you feel that way, too, it may be encouraging to know that even the great apostle Paul and his protégé Timothy had to learn to follow the Spirit’s guidance. They had wanted to take the gospel east to Asia, but were forbidden by the Spirit. So they decided they’d go north to Bithynia, but again the Spirit closed the door.

The Bible doesn’t say exactly how the Spirit worked to prevent them from going where they thought they were needed. It’s not like their motives were wrong. Could it have been lack of transportation, weather-related issues, illness, or some prophetic word spoken to them? Did they not sense the peace of the Spirit as they prepared to go?

Whatever happened, God had other plans. He revealed His direction to Paul through a vision, and the missionary team obeyed immediately. There was a woman named Lydia who needed to hear the gospel in Macedonia. There was a slave girl who needed to be freed from an evil spirit. There was a Philippian jailer who needed to be saved. And as they followed, no doubt the song they sung was, “He Leadeth Me.”