GODLY REASONING Monday:
About twenty-three years had passed since the day of Pentecost, when the Lord began pouring forth His Spirit according to the promises given through the Prophets. The Gospel had spread throughout all Judea and Samaria, and was penetrating into the Gentile world. The converted treasurer of the queen of the Ethiopians had carried it down into the African segment of the world. Through converted Saul of Tarsus, Damascus of Syria heard the Gospel (Acts 9:19). Other areas hearing the Gospel included Phenice and Cyprus (Acts 11:19), Seleucia (13:4), Salamis (13:5), the Island of Paphos (13:6), and Perga and Pamphylia (13:13). With remarkable power, the Gospel was preached in Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium (Acts 15:41-16:2). It seemed as though nothing would stop the rapid spread of the Gospel of Christ. The churches were being established in the faith, and were increasing in number every day (Acts 16:5).
However, things suddenly are changed. After the brethren had gone throughout the region of Galatia, "they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia" (Acts 16:6). We are not told precisely how this occurred, but the spirits of the laborers were sensitive to their Master, and thus they received the message. Adjusting their plans, "they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them" (16:7, NKJV). Again adjusting their course, they came down to Troas, that was in Asia. It was right here that the Lord would direct them to penetrate Europe with the Gospel of Christ.
While in Troas, Paul had a vision "in the night." In it, he saw a man in Europe (Macedonia) standing and begging him, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us" (16:9). Our text says that "immediately" after that the brethren "got ready at once to leave for Macedonia" (NIV). The Spirit is careful to tell us the reason for their decision. They moved forward "assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." Other versions read, "concluding" (NASB), "being convinced" (NRSV), "being assured" (DOUAY), "for it seemed certain to us" (BBE), and "or we could only conclude" (NLT). They were confident they were being Divinely directed to Macedonia, just as surely was they had been forbidden to go into Asia, and not permitted to go into Bithynia.
The verse indicates they thought upon the vision, pondering it in faith. It was in the process of contemplating that vision that they became confidently assured they were being called to go to Macedonia. It is when David "THOUGHT" upon his ways, that he turned his feet toward God's testimonies (Psa 119:59). When the faithful "THOUGHT" upon the Lord, He remembered them (Mal 3:16). When Joseph "THOUGHT" upon Mary being with child, the Lord revealed what had happened, and what he was to do (Matt 1:20). As Peter "THOUGHT" upon the vision he received on the housetop of Simon's house, he was directed to do the will of the Lord (Acts 10:19-20).
"Gathering," or concluding, the right thing is the outcome of godly reasoning. At some point, what God has said must become part of our thinking processes. It must be pondered, considered, and mused upon. When that occurs, Divine direction will be experienced. Until it occurs, our purposes are destined to futility, and we are on our own. Blessed is the person who knows this, and thinks properly.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I think You for the privilege and benefit of thinking.