Commitment to God's Will, Acts 16:6

Apostle Paul's deep commitment to the will of God found in Acts 16:6- 10 is thought-provoking and exemplary. In fact, on the day of his conversion itself, he asked the Lord, 'What shall I do, Lord?' (Acts 22:10). He always held it as one of his priorities (cf. Acts 18:21; Rom. 1:10, etc.). Notice five lessons from this passage.
1. God has a very personal and distinct plan for each one of us.
Paul and companions were in their second missionary journey. No doubt preaching the gospel of Christ is God's plan for any born-again child of God at any occasion. Yet we see here twice the Spirit of God prohibits them from preaching. This shows that there is a general will of God for everyone irrespective of the person, place, or period. However, there is a specific divine plan for each one of us. Not only does it vary from person to person but even with occasion and time as well. Of course, it will never be contradictory to what God has already revealed in the scripture.
     The psalmist says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way" (Psa. 37:23). How seriously we ought to seek and fulfil the divinely set steps, for that alone delights the heart of God.
     Our Lord Jesus also has referred to this same idea in John 7:6, "Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready." The timetable that the Father set for His Son and that for others, are different. It's true in every other aspects too.
     Notice, since God's will for each one is different, envy and competition are foolishness in Christian life. Even any effort to imitate another person also is not wise.
2. God, in His Sovereign will, not only leads us, but stops as well.
We are well aware of the divine leading and guidance in our day-to-day life (cf. Psa. 23:3, 4; 25:9; 48:14; 73:23, 24; Isa 58:11, etc.). But seldom we consider how He stops us in His will, especially in matters like spiritual services.
     We may not digest this truth that God would stop even a spiritual activity like singing, preaching, etc. In fact, it is possible that He has already stopped certain ministries, yet they continue mechanically, unwilling to abide by God's perfect will. Imagine the condition of the local church at Ephesus which the Lord had warned to be removed (Rev. 2:5c).
     Never forget, God's ways and thoughts are much higher than our ways and thoughts (Isa. 55:8, 9). God does not work according to our logic and expectation. The psalmist's warning in the context of divine leading is noteworthy in this regard: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding" (Psa. 32:8, 9a).
3. The need to be passionately sensitive to the Spirit's leading.
Recognizing God's perfect will for our day-to-day life demands earnest longing for it. God has revealed His will for us through the scripture (2Tim. 3:16, 17). Apart from the explicit instructions, we can draw lessons and principles from different stories and incidents found in the Word of God. Hence a thorough understanding of the entire spectrum of God's revelation is basic requirement to comprehend God's will for our life.
     However, there will be occasions when one may not find a direct or indirect injunction recorded in the Word of God. For a right decision at such a juncture, one needs to hear the 'still small voice of the Lord; (Isa. 30:21). It is possible only by being sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, as a result of staying close to the Lord. Thus, we shall discern the heart's desire of our Lord (1John 2:3, 5).
4. God's perfect will may include painful situations.
Paul's further story tells us that even though they faithfully obeyed the will of the Lord, they had to face severe persecution in Philippi. They were brutally beaten and imprisoned, even to getting their feet fastened in the stocks (Acts 16:23, 24).
     So, seeking God's will does not mean we will be free from trouble; on the contrary, it may lead to untold agonies. But the comforting thing is, as the psalmist says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all" (Psa. 34:19).
5. Ultimately God's will alone is good and perfect.
Despite the sufferings, Paul and the team found the ministry in Europe successful. Many prominent men and women got saved and local assemblies were formed in many cities of Europe for the first time.
     No wonder Paul wrote, 'the will of God is good, perfect and acceptable' (Rom. 12:2c). God's will alone is good for all. It has no flaws, for God does not make a mistake. No need to regret later. Further, it is acceptable to God and His people.
     Do we have this longing to know and do God's will at any cost? Our Lord is the supreme example; even in agony He prayed to the Father, "Your will be done" (Matth. 26:42c).
     In this short span of life, let us be wise to seek and do God's will, for that alone will remain for ever (Eph. 5:17; 1John 2:17). Let us pray with the psalmist, "Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God" (Psa. 143:10a).

NTK

Commitment to God's Will, Acts 16:6 - 10