It is almost natural and a little popular to believe when things don’t work out according to the definition that has become generally acceptable, then there must have been a mistake in discernment; the journey must not have been God inspired. Hence, problems are usually seen as a pointer to have gone outside of God’s will.
Brother Paul was about to embark on a journey he felt pressed by the Holy Spirit to take. He began to make this known to the brethren that he needed to go to Jerusalem to preach the gospel. This journey was obviously occasioned by the Holy Spirit:
“And now I am going to Jerusalem, drawn there irresistibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me.” Acts 20: 22
Immediately after this, the brethren felt it was too dangerous for him to go to Jerusalem at such a time. There was a prophecy from the believers in Tyre, urging Paul not to embark on the journey. After this, he went with his crew to Ptolemais where Prophet Agabus also met with him and gave a prophecy on the terrible things that will happen to Paul if he embarked on the journey.
All of these on its own are enough to throw a man into confusion on what the Lord is saying exactly. However, Paul stood his ground on what he knew was the mind of God for him. The journey started and it was just all looking bleak and very horrible. His first appearance landed him in the midst of a mob that was ready to stone him to death. He barely escaped this and the trouble continued with being handed over to the security agents of the land.
He ended up in the prison for years and was finally to be on a journey to meet with Ceaser in Rome to plead his case. On the journey, they experienced so much turbulence on the sea which led to finding themselves on the Island of Malta. As soon as they got to the Island, a viper found its way around Paul’s arm and the people of the island concluded he must have been a terrible sinner; he escaped death on the sea but the death still wouldn’t stop coming after him.
After the people saw that Paul shook off the viper from his hands, they then concluded Paul must be a god. They had waited long expecting him to fall down and die, when they didn’t see this, they then knew there must have been something supernatural about the man. This led to an invasion of the gospel on the Island right from the leader to the whole community. The presence of God in a journey is not evident when there is no threat to peace but thriving in the threats joyfully.
The continued uninteresting experiences would have made anyone conclude the apostle made a mistake to have embarked on the journey. The consistent troubles would have been so overwhelming to conclude he could have listened to the prophecies of the brethren and that of Prophet Agabus. However, the scripture never recorded anywhere that the apostle make mention of such. In course of all the troubles, the gospel prospered and that was all that mattered to Apostle Paul.
“But life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good news about God’s mighty kindness and love” Acts 20:24
Obedience to God’s word was more than any problem he could eventually face. He is also flesh and blood, all of the scary prophecies would have been a concern to him, but he knew the joy of obedience to the Lord is much more a discernment of His will than whatever trouble may be ahead on the journey.
The will of God is not discerned in a journey by the things that characterize the journey solely. The thrust of discerning God’s will is in the joy of obedience not the troubles in the journey of obedience. You may be going through a troubled time having embarked on things that you knew were inspired of the Lord, that does not in any way lead to the conclusion that it is not God’s will.
Results don’t validate the will of God; His word does and in obedience is His word made expressible. When you are obeying, there is a joy that springs forth making you withstand the troubles. Don’t be carried away by how long it’s taking; be inspired by how deep the joy is brewing. There is a joy of obedience, it doesn’t take into cognizance results; it is self-sufficient on its own.
As you journey into the week, be encouraged; all is coming out perfect; the experiences don’t invalidate God’s word. Just keep on keeping on in obedience. You are blessed.
Be Innovated
Olufemi Ibitoye
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