Divine Plan

^"6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. ⁷ After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit^[a] did not permit them. ⁸ So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them"  (Acts 1: 6-10)


“Why do so many doors seem to be closing? I am trying to serve God, but nothing seems to be working out right.” Sometimes believers feel like they are getting nowhere in finding what God wants for their lives. At times such as these, it is good to know that someone in the Bible also experienced doors closing as part of God’s will.

    The Holy Spirit kept Paul and those who traveled with him from preaching in Asia and blocked their efforts to enter Bithynia. Paul wanted to preach in these areas, but the Holy Spirit had other plans. Later, Paul had a dream in the night of a man calling for him to come to Macedonia and help. Once it was clear to Paul which door the Holy Spirit wanted them to go through, they immediately went to preach the Gospel in Macedonia.

    God still opens and closes doors to guide His people into the directions He has in mind for them. Though He may or may not use a dream, He does speak to us through a variety of means. The most important thing we can do is keep our ears in tune to His direction and follow as He leads.
    Central Thought: God reveals His will to us through a variety of means.