The Spirit Redirects

Acts 16:6-7 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
 
THE Bible’s accounts of the various patriarchs, prophets and apostles are generally very, very brief glimpses into their lives. These two verses are a good example. Other passages in Scripture tell us that two significant events in Paul’s life happened when he was in Galatia.
   Galatia is in central Asia Minor. During the team’s work there, Paul became very ill.  He needed time to rest and heal. But in God’s purpose, the Holy Spirit used Paul’s “down time” to be a good time to advance the gospel. Even in his illness, Paul and his coworkers founded several churches in Galatia. We know this because Paul wrote in Galatians 4:13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. How fascinating to consider Paul did not plan to do much preaching in Galatia. But his illness became a catalyst to change his plans and give him time for a new purpose.
   The Holy Spirit directed the evangelists to preach. Then the Spirit affected the Galatians’ hearts to receive salvation. Paul also wrote in Galatians 4:14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Paul’s sickness became the Spirit’s balm to heal many souls into eternal life.
   As a Christian we must always survey our circumstances, whether they are times of trial or times of comfort and peace. Our response to God is to discern the ways God wants to use us in each situation.
   The second event in Paul’s life in these two verses is that the team was kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. Their plan was to go from the Roman province of Asia Minor east into the Asia, another Roman province. We don’t know how, but the LORED redirected this missionary team away from Asia. He was about to move them into Macedonia to plant the first church in Europe.
   A few words, sentence or several verses in the Bible often informs us of great change in God’s kingdom. Behind those words are God’s people diligently working to respond to his commands. Working with Jesus’ Spirit requires listening, going, stopping and sometimes changing direction. Working with Jesus always requires patience and perseverance.