Sat, 29 July, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Acts 16:6-10

⁶ 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.

Paul desired to bring the gospel to people, both near and far. He greatly desired that others would be saved. Yet here we see God shutting doors to the gospel and opening doors to others.

What do we learn from this?

We don’t always understand what God is doing. But sometimes there are things that seem to us to be great opportunities for bringing the gospel to others, and they become nothing. Why? We don’t know. Everything seemed so wide open to our own understanding. But God closed the door, and there was no success.

But other things that seem so closed, by God’s grace, become great openings for the gospel.

God opens and closes doors, and it is up to us to go through them as He desires.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Christ is the message we bring to the people around us. We don’t know the doors He will open or close, but we should be ready to bring the gospel to anyone.