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. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. (Acts 16:6-8)
The names of these ancient places sound strange and distant to us: Phrygia and Galatia; Mysia, Bithynia, and finally Troas. Yet these were real communities with real people who in some ways lived a lot like we do. Paul was concerned to preach the gospel and plant churches wherever he could, but the problem was that there seemed to be too many places! How would Paul know where to go and do his work for Jesus?
Paul and his associates wanted to go south-west, towards the big and important city of Ephesus, but they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
We note with interest that the Spirit forbade Paul to do something we normally think of as good – preaching and planting churches among those who received the gospel. Yet the Holy Spirit directed this work, and Paul wasn’t the right person in the right place at the right time to begin bringing the gospel to the Roman province of Asia Minor (in modern Turkey). There was certainly nothing wrong with Paul’s desire to preach the word in Asia; but it wasn’t God’s timing, so this was forbidden by the Holy Spirit.
It is difficult to say exactly how the Holy Spirit said no; it may have been through a word of prophecy, or by an inward speaking of the Holy Spirit, or by circumstances. One way or another, Paul and his company got the message. Ephesus would come later, not now.
After the attempt to go to Asia, Paul sought to go north into Bithynia, but was again prevented by the Holy Spirit: the Spirit did not permit them. So, they came down to Troas.
Notice that Paul didn’t set out to go to Troas. It was at least the third choice for him. But it was the Holy Spirit’s plan to lead him there. Paul, beautifully responsive to the Holy Spirit, was willing to lay down his will and his plans for the direction that the Holy Spirit brings.
In all this, Paul was guided by hindrance. The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors.
David Livingstone wanted to go to China, but God sent him to Africa. William Carey wanted to go to Polynesia, but God sent him to India. Adoniram Judson went to India, but God guided him to Burma. God guides us along the way, to just the right place.
Do you face a hindrance or an obstacle? Ask God for the wisdom to understand if it is an attack from the enemy or true guidance from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes God give guidance through hindrance.
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