Acts 16:6-7, “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.”

Hey OTP Family! I don’t know about you, but I have always wondered about ‘real time’ navigation when it comes to the Holy Spirit. I mean we live our lives from moment to moment and at any given time the enemy desires to set traps and pitfalls to snare us as we walk with God. I am amazed and grateful to see God operating in ‘real time’ with his people. This scripture shows us know that God desires to be our navigator in this walk – if we will let him. 

By definition, navigator is a person who directs the route or course of as ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation, especially by using instruments and maps. 

God desires to be this for us – the navigator. And the amazing part is that he does not need to use any external devices to get the job done. He is all knowing, all seeing, and he is everywhere at the same time. He already knows and desires to share the information that we can handle. All he needs are people with an ear to hear what the spirit is saying to us. For he is always speaking – he is our daily bread, but we are not always listening.

Looking at our scripture text – in verse 6 God had told them not to preach the word in Asia. But on their journey, they wanted to go to Bithynia, which is a region in Asia minor. God had to constrain them again, not to preach the word there. It wasn’t that God did not what his word spread there, but it was a timing thing. God would eventually allow Paul to preach in Asia.

God has a way of sharing tidbits with us, but they are not for right now. We hear/see what God is saying and we want to move right away. However, God wants to be our navigator to take us the way we need to go in order to be prepared for the vision. It is not always a straight line from A to B. There are times when we have to go on a journey to point B that will burn off all the things that cannot be carried there from point A. It is the middle part of the journey that we really need to hear his voice. This is because if we get to point B too soon, we are not ready, the people there is not ready, and the end result will not be what God originally showed to us. Then we question God why? The answer is, you did not follow as God lead. You put the cart before the horse and made a wreck of everything. Now God has to back track and fix everything you messed up.

How many times has this happened to you?

What has God giving you specific instructions not to do but you still try to circumvent his will to do what you wanted to do?

We have to prepare for the journey. 

Just because God has put some temporary restrictions on you does not mean that you should stand still. Truthfully, this just means you need to pay closer attention to what God is saying so you can do what needs to be done right now. In patience, possess ye your soul (Luke 21:19). Patience here is taken from the Greek word hypomone, which means enduring hardship, persevering through trials, and weathering storms without succumbing to fear or despair.

This is especially appropriate for us when we have seen that tidbit from God and are rejoicing with a heart that is ready to walk in that promise. But again there is some baggage we carry that cannot go to this next level. God has a plan to excise this weight and sin that can so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1). To effectively accomplish we need God to be our navigator.

Introspection time – look at your self, and your current circumstances. Ask yourself, how did I get here? If the space does not feel as if this is where the Lord wants you to be then check your navigation system. Did you follow your own plans there? Or was God leading you to this place?

If it does not feel in your spirit that this is where God led you, then repent – with a sincere and wholesome heart. Take your hand off the wheel, and let God guide you back to the place you need to be.

If you are walking according to the word and your spirit give you confirmation, then stand ten does down! This is your place of spiritual battle, and you will come out victorious. This is a place that God is using to burn off some of that extra weight that cannot go with you to the next level. Let God work on you. It is a hard place, but a necessary one on your way to the next point. Eventually, you will be allowed to go exactly where God needs you. As you will be prepared for anything you might face there.

When Paul could not go into Asia right away, they found themselves in Berea, a Greek area, but the people received the word readily (Acts 17:11). This shows us that God will still use us mightily on our journey. Although they were not yet in Asia, they were will ministering the word of God every they went. This is the blessing of God’s navigation skills.

Let God be your navigator. No matter where the journey takes you the blessings of God will meet you there.

Have a blessed day!