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"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."
(Acts 16:6-7)
Who likes a red light? We all know they are necessary interruptions, but that does not mean we have to like them. We want green lights all day long—no delays, no slowing down, just green lights all the way to our destination. Yellow or caution lights are not so bad, because we usually just speed through them. For some, the yellow caution light simply means, "I am coming!" But red lights, no way; we do not like these impediments to our journey.
God sends us red lights in our walk with Him. Of course, we love it when God blesses and gives the green light at every intersection of our relationship with Him. But He loves us too much to not stop us, because we indeed need to be stopped. He also sends us cautions or gives us the message that we need to proceed slowly and prepare to stop. I see this happening in the Bible as God interacts with His people.
In our biblical text for today, the Holy Spirit stopped the missionary team in their tracks. Paul and Silas were ready to go north and plant churches, but God gave them a red light. Later, they tried to go due west, but once again, God stopped them. We can have a perfect plan, well thought out, but then God vetoes it. Why? As we will see, He knows best, and we do not. How they were forbidden, we do not know; perhaps it was through a dream, a sense of uneasiness, sickness, or some physical obstacle. They tried to go north to the region of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus stopped them. I have had this happen in my ministry: what seemed a perfect fit and most logical to me, God was not in, and He stopped it.
Years ago, there was a popular Christian song that said, "When God closes a door, look for a window." I think it is better to say, when God closes a door, wait on Him to open another door.
Some of you are currently experiencing God closing doors, saying no to certain jobs, relationships, opportunities, etc. Why does God do that? Does He not see your situation? Oh yes, He sees perfectly, and we see dimly. Paul gives us a great example to follow when we face the red lights in our walk with God. "It would have been so easy to pity himself, but instead he kept trusting and following Christ." (Hughes, The Church Afire, p. 207)
Has God stopped you in your tracks? It may be confusing to you right now, but please note that if God gives you a red light, then it is for your everlasting good! He knows what He is doing. He has a great plan for your life, but this is not it. You may protest and tell God all the reasons why you need to push forward and make things happen. Please do not do that. It never turns out well when the child of God attempts to persuade God. Have you ever said these words: "Yes, I know what God said, but..."? That never ends well.
Stop at the red light, and when God opens the door, proceed. He loves you and sees what you and I could never see. Trust Him. He has a plan, and it will work out splendidly for you if you only follow His lead.
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