Over a brief amount of time the Holy Spirit spoke to or guided Paul. Paul and his companions were forbidden to speak the word in Asia (vs. 6). When they attempted to go into Bithynia, the Holy Spirit prevented them from doing so. In the middle of the night Paul had a vision of a man pleading with him to come to Macedonia. Paul and his companions felt that the vision was the Spirit again guiding them.

The Holy Spirit hasn’t stopped guiding God’s people. Pastors still sense a call to the ministry, though this may come in a multitude of ways. There are people who share that they had a gut feeling that they identified as a leading of the Spirit. Open and closed doors, or opportunities are cited by some disciples of Jesus as the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit leads us through the words of scripture and speaks to us in the middle of our times of meditation. Other people and their advice and counsel can also be used by the Holy Spirit to lead us.

God’s silence is not a problem that we face. It is our faithful obedience when God does speak that is our challenge.

Acts 16:6-10

They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.