Acts 16:6-24
Be still: Lord, we thank you for the gift of this new day. Thank you that you are alive and reign. Draw close to us today we pray. Amen
Read: Acts 16:6-24
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (v9–10)
Encounter: Are you impulsive and quick to make a decision? Or are you reflective, slow to act, and allow time to pass before committing to action? Neither approach is necessarily right or wrong. Most recently, when time has become squeezed, I have adopted a bit more the ‘first thought, best thought' approach.
What I love in our reading today is how quick Paul is to respond to the vision he has. In verse 10 we read, ‘...we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us.’ Paul moves with confidence and conviction that God has spoken to him. The word 'concluding' in the Greek is symbibazō which carries the idea of discerning or putting the pieces together. This wasn’t reckless impulsivity on Paul's part; this was someone who knew God, his character, and trusted God's ways — therefore Paul responded immediately in full knowledge of the One to whom he was responding.
We can learn from Paul's response. Despite my personal reflection of ‘first thought best thought,' so often when God speaks, I’m slow to move. We say it’s good to take time to weigh what we think God is saying to us, to seek others' good counsel — and yes, there is real wisdom in doing that. But sometimes we’ve just got to move, to take the step of faith, to press into God's calling.
Apply: Lord God, help us today to not just hear your voice, but to respond with confidence. Help us to navigate our doubts or fears, as we grow in trusting you more.
Devote: Thank you God that you love to speak with us. Thank you that you choose to partner with us in your mission here on earth. We love and trust you Lord.
