And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (ESV)

Thus begins the thrilling story of how the gospel first came to Europe! It shows the primacy of the Holy Spirit in the whole enterprise, closing certain ‘doors’, but opening wide another. Just a week or so ago, my wife, Jilly, prayed a heartfelt prayer for God’s guidance for us as a couple. It then ‘just so happened’ that we read the above passage as part of our Bible reading together. I found the timing of this to be significant and encouraging.I wrote these words in my journal:

‘On a morning where we have again talked about our future, and prayed to know God’s will, we ask, Lord, that you will keep us from wrong turnings and lead us in right paths for your Name’s sake.’

Note the words ”immediately” and ”concluding” in verse 10. We can see that they had responsive hearts to what God was doing and saying. Also, we note that guidance is not a mindless process. There were conclusions to be drawn from their experience and the vision.

‘Our path through life will often be indicated by the fact that the doors which lead off the straight track are barred and bolted, so that we have no option save to go on. Paul was blocked first on the left, that he should not go into the province of Asia; then on the right, that he should not go into Bithynia. Finally he reached Troas, and stood face to face with the ocean that lay between him and Europe.

Here he had a vision which made a deep impression upon him. He saw a man of Macedonia standing in an attitude of entreaty and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. Note that word, concluding, Acts 16:10 . God often leaves us to infer our course. He does not ignore His own great gift of reason.’ F.B. Meyer