It Starts Small

We can imagine, Paul is not in a good place. He just had a falling out with his mentor and now he faces ever more challenges. Paul was determined to go into Asia to preach the gospel.

As the second missionary journey started, he kept bumping into obstacles.

⁶ They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ⁷ When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. ⁸ Passing by Mysia they went down to Troas.

Acts 16:6-8

If it was God’s will, why was it so hard?

When we try to navigate our way through the land of “in between normals” we can find ourselves going nowhere.

Doors are closed.

Nothing seems to be working.

Sound familiar?

Look really closely at what prevent Paul from going into Asia and Bithynia.

Verse 6:

“had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit” – CSB

“were forbidden of the Holy Ghost” – KJV

“but the Holy Spirit blocked that route” – MSG

” the Holy Spirit had prevented” – NLT

Verse 7:

“ the Spirit of Jesus did not allow” – CSB

” the Spirit suffered them not” – KJV

“the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go” – MSG

“again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow” – NLT

Is this not an eye opener? God Himself closed the doors, even when Paul was doing God’s Work.

When obstacles show up, do not be too quick to blame them on Satan or try to “cast out demons.” You might be speaking to God Almighty.

But why does God say no?

Because His yes is even greater than the impact of no. God has a better “yes” waiting for Paul and you. By closing the doors, God directed Paul to leave behind the places he wanted to go. Paul was directed to travel roads he did not want to take. God led Paul to a place he never wanted to be. When Paul got there, He revealed to Paul His divine plan – EUROPE!

After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:10

Imagine what Paul was thinking as he crossed the Aegean Sea. I like to think of him standing on the bow of that boat meditating on Isaiah 55:9

“For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

Friends, do not loose heart! Sometimes the divine “no” is the most loving thing God can do to you.

Thoughts to Ponder:

• Have you experienced a divine “no” from God?
• If so, did you find out that he had a bigger “yes” for you at a later time?
• What did that experience teach you about God?
• What does today’s scripture teach us about the “in between?”

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.