God’s Timing:
Ministry Prevented

Scripture Reading:  Acts 16:4-10

Key Verse:  Acts 16:6

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.

The Apostle Paul was on a mission to strengthen the faith of the churches which he had previously started.  His goal was to deepen their faith as well as increase their numbers by seeing new conversions.  He and his companions were moving from town to town seeing God move in the lives of these new believers, but when they tried to go into the province of Asia to continue their ministry, they were “kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching” there.  Why would God stop them from entering this area to minister to these people?  Of course we do not know the mind of God, but it obviously had to do with the divine timing for the most effective moments of ministry.

            Not only does God open doors of opportunity at the perfect time in our lives, He closes them as well.  We make our plans for future activities, but God works in our lives to thwart those plans at times.  God’s timing may be about you and what God is doing in you.  God’s timing may be about others that He is working on and needs you to slow down your plans.

            It would seem to us that ministering in Jesus’ name to someone would always be a good thing, but God knows the most effective moments of time when they will be open to the message.  Don’t blame all closed doors of ministry on the devil.  God may be at work creating the perfect time table for the person or community!

Father, please close any doors that you do not want me to go through at this time.  I will praise you even with the “no” answers!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.