Acts 16:6-7 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

If you believe that God is involved directly in your live, that He has plans to use you, how do you know when He says NO?

We are a people who make plans. We see a need and we become determined to fill that need and takes steps and can go through great efforts to accomplish a “good work”. So often we see obstacles as attacks from the enemy, trying to hinder that good work. What if it isn’t Satan?

Nothing in Acts 16 tells us directly who they knew the Holy Spirit was forbidding them. If we glaze over the scriptures and give credit to these evangelists that they had a better relationship with God and knew His will instantly, then I suggest we give credit where truth has not been shown.

Do you know all truth by faith alone?

Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Success comes about by mixing faith with the Word. Our plans must be fashioned in the Word and executed in faith. Too often we leave the designer out of our plans. Consider that you have not sinned. What you are doing is not wrong, it is just sometimes unauthorized. Correction is not warranted because you have not sinned. Do not expect chastening. It will look more like an obstacle.

Examine obstacles to determine who placed them in the way. Go to the Word, check with the designer. If it was of the enemy He will overcome. If it is of the Lord, leave it lay and back away.

Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Job knew where temptation lay. We know what temps us, don’t we? We have enough experience with sin and mistakes to know our own weaknesses. Making covenant and keeping covenant can be an important aspect of spiritual life, but when we make a covenant with self, we have a weak covenant partner.

When the enemy attacks we know it. Self-preservation kicks in and self cooperates with will and safe haven is sought. But the enemy isn’t stupid. Rarely does he make the obvious attack. He knows the obvious will be met with the trumpet call and he hates the trumpet call. The enemy is more subtle than that.

Sunday I told the church that I had been troubled lately. I announced that I have the keys to the kingdom, there is no room denied me. I also said that leaving the keys in my pocket availed me nothing.

Sunday night I found myself fumbling with the keys trying to unlock the door to safe haven. The Lord came along beside me and said, “You have the right key. This is the wrong door.”

So many times we fail to reach safe haven because we seek the wrong door. All the frustration I had been feeling these past weeks was in trying to gain access outside His will. I saw a need and I wanted to help. It was like a covenant with myself. Self didn’t cooperate.

Right key, wrong door.