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PAUL: HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
Acts 15:36-41

Acts 16:6-9

 

“…and were forbidden of
the Holy Ghost to preach

the word in Asia…”

 

PAUL: HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
 
Paul’s second missionary journey was not without challenges. From the very beginning, contention arose between Paul and Barnabas. What seemed to be an obstacle was turned by the Lord into an opportunity for greater good: two missionary teams were formed instead of one, reaching more places with the Gospel. For Paul, he chose Silas as his companion and revisited the churches established during the first journey. Yet another obstacle appeared when the Spirit redirected them from their intended path. Instead of preaching in Asia, Paul and Silas obeyed the Lord’s leading after receiving the Macedonian call.
 
Missionaries and servants of the Lord must remain submissive to the Spirit of God, who alone knows best what to do, where to go, and when to act. When the Spirit prevented Paul from preaching in Asia, He was not halting the work, but guiding them to the place where God intended His Word to be proclaimed.
 
We too must be obedient to the Lord’s direction, even when we have our own plans. The Lord knows the work, the place, and the timing. He is powerful to accomplish His saving plan, and He enables us to take part in it when we walk according to His will. God must be the Director of missions, and our duty is to obey Him.
 
When we submit to His perfect plan, the work will be perfectly accomplished. He knows where His elect (those who will believe) are. He knows how they can be reached, and so we must rely on His ways rather than the dictates of our finite minds or this world. He knows the timing of their salvation, and so we must trust His perfect schedule in proclaiming the Gospel. For this reason, missionaries and preachers must continually seek the leading of God through prayer and the reading of His Word. These are the avenues by which the Holy Spirit reveals His direction. Paul learned well that it was not his own wisdom or zeal that made missions fruitful. Success in the work of God comes only when His servants are submissive to His will. Then only will missions bring glory to God.
 
THOUGHT: Am I truly seeking the will of God in order to obey it?

PRAYER: Father, grant me the humility to submit to Thy will.

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