Statim | Immediately

"When we had seen the vision, we immediately sought to leave for Macedonia..." — Acts 16:10 (NASB) 

The message of God’s Word today for me is that of openness and of obedience.

While Paul and his companions were travelling and preaching the Word, it was said that “they tried to enter Bithynia but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” How do we hear Jesus? And how do we know it’s Him we’re hearing? I can imagine we have to be really in touch with Jesus to know Him and know His voice when He finally speaks to us. We have to keep conversing with Him everyday, so that we will know His call and His Spirit when He speaks.

But it doesn’t end there - it doesn’t end when we hears the call of God, we have to be obedient to His Word. Further to today’s passages, “After Paul had seen the vision (of a man from Macedonia begging him to speak to them), we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the Gospel to them.” Paul got ready at once! Our openness to God’s Word should be followed by our obedience. As with obedience comes grace.

In the last few passages of today’s Word, it is written that for a woman named Lydia - “She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” In worshipping God and knowing his voice, our hearts and not only our ears are opened to God’s Word. And by God’s grace, we can respond to His call.

I pray that we may all always take our time to talk and commune with God. May it leave us open to His Word, and may this make us ready to respond.

Reflection on Acts 16:6-15 by Blessie Sto Tomas

(Listen to the Podcast here)