At the beginning of their second missionary journey, Paul and Silas appear to have one plan, but God radically intervenes to change it. Phrygia, Galatia, and Bithynia (all culturally Greek regions of Anatolia, modern-day Turkey) are barred to them—instead, Paul receives a vision to cross over into Macedonia, carrying the Gospel into the hostile Roman world. Where God led, Paul and Silas followed. In this morning’s service we also ask for God’s leading. We ask Him to “lead us through this desert land” (Jesus, Shepherd Of Thy People), and we are comforted by His promise from the Scriptures to “safely lead us in the way” (O Come Before The Lord, Our King—Psalm 95). We confess our need for His guidance on the “path which leads right onward to the blessed land” (Teach Me, O Lord, Thy Holy Way), and we pray in song “Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way” (As With Gladness, Men Of Old). We are reminded that God promises strength for “whate’er betides” us as we trust His guidance (If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee), and we encourage one another to “leave to His sovereign sway to choose and to command” as we follow along “duty’s path” (O Put Your Trust In God). David’s prayer from Psalm 27 (O Lord, Teach Me To Follow You—Psalm 27) leaves us with a final reminder: seek the Lord’s guidance in all things, even when He leads us in unexpected directions.
—Henry C. Haffner
