How do we hear from God?
When big choice are before us, we naturally want to know what God wants us to do. But how? Too often we are preoccupied with the desire to be in control and have perfect knowledge before making a decision. Faith does not operate like this. Learning to keep going in trust and obedience until God changes our path is difficult but deeply rewarding in our journey with the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul Silas and Timothy show us how, and encourage us to keep going.
Scripture
Acts 16:6-15 ESV And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. [7] And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. [8] So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” [10] And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. [11] So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. [13] And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. [14] One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. [15] And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Through the Scripture
Sent off in prayer to trust and obey
Paul and Silas journey started with the Church praying for God’s will to be done through his servants as they travelled to strengthen existing churches and plant new ones. Despite some unpleasant disagreements with Barnabus over Mark, they continued on to do God’s work trusting in His grace. God’s will for all human beings is that we trust and obey Him, this they did from the start of their journey.
Acts 15:40-41 ESV but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. [41] And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Proverbs 3:5-7 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [7] Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
Forbidden and not allowed to know
Two questions that immediately come to most of our minds as we read the next verses are, why did the Holy Spirit forbid them from preaching in Asia and Bithynia and how did He do so? We’re not given this information, but they urge to know it is an interesting revelation of human nature. We like to know why and how before we begin, otherwise we feel vulnerable and “out of control”. But is it necessary for us to know these things before we can do God’s will?
Acts 16:6-7 ESV And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. [7] And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
1 Samuel 25:32-33 ESV And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! [33] Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!
Staying the course until God changes it.
Paul, Silas and Timothy were travelling west towards Europe. They were not allowed to deviate to the north or the south so they continue west until they came to the sea and could go no further. There Paul had a vision which he discerned came from God, directing them to preach the Gospel in Greece, the first ministry of the Gospel in Europe. The principle of staying the course until God changes it is a valuable lesson for us.
Acts 16:8-10 ESV So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” [10] And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Psalms 119:1-8 ESV Aleph Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! [2] Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, [3] who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! [4] You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. [5] Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! [6] Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. [7] I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. [8] I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!
Staying with the Philippians
The group now included Luke, the author, who now describes events including himself (us) in the narrative. How did they know where in Greece (Macedonia) to go? They kept going until they had the opportunity to do what they were sent to do, preach the Gospel of Jesus. There they decided to stay for a while, building relationship while preaching the Gospel - in other words building the Church.
Acts 16:11-12 ESV So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
Philippians 1:1-6 ESV Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, [4] always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. [6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Going to the place of prayer
When we arrive at a destination and decide to stay, what is the first thing we seek out? Surely accommodation, a safe and comfortable place to stay? This group chose to look for people to minister to. Even when there was no synagogue they kept with the principle of trying to reach the Jews first, and trying to preach to those who were already looking for God.
Acts 16:13 ESV And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
Ezra 8:21 ESV Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.
The Lord opens Lydia’s heart
The Lord had been preparing someone for their arrival, Lydia. Perhaps this is why they weren’t allowed to deviate from their path, because God was guiding them to meet with Lydia at this precise time and place. She was not only in the right place at the right time to hear the Gospel but the Holy Spirit enabled her to respond and she was saved.
Acts 16:14 ESV One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Revelation 3:20 ESV Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
John 6:44 ESV No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Lydia immediately ministers to her household and the visitors
It wasn’t only Lydia who believed but people in her household too. The Holy Spirit had already begun reaching others through her and then so moved her heart as to extend hospitality to the group and care for their needs.
Acts 16:15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
Matthew 10:34-36 ESV “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. [35] For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.