Acts16:6–10 – Paul’s Macedonia call

In this second missionary journey, after leaving Phrygia and some parts of Southern Galatia such as Iconium, Derbe and Lystra, the three missionaries, Paul, Silas and Timothy came to Mysia. They tried to go further north into Bithynia but were stopped by the Holy Spirit from traveling up. No reason was given. Just that the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.

Paul, Silas and Timothy then turned westward, crossed Mysia and came to Troas. It was here that Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia, standing and appealing to him to go there and preach the gospel.

Paul’s that it’s God’s call to go to Macedonia to preach the Gospel there, and so he sought to go there. What happened reveals the role the Spirit played in their mission. He forbade them from going to Asia and now He guided them to Macedonia to begin the evangelization of Europe.

From these incidences we see that God guided the mission team first by restraint regarding Asia, and then by revelation regarding Macedonia. God who knows everything also wants to guide us concerning His plan for our lives and ministries. No one should put God in a box because of a previous experience.

Our attitude towards God’s leading is important. We need to be open and sensitive to what He is saying to us. We should put this indelibly into our hearts and minds: it is better to be in any place with God then to be anywhere else without Him.