0130. The Man of Macedonia

The Man of Macedonia

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us" (Act_16:9).

In the 6th verse we read concerning Paul and Timotheus, that, they "were forbidden * * to preach the Word in Asia". In Act_11:7 we read that "after they were come to Mysia, they assayed (were attempting) to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not".

Perhaps Paul found it somewhat difficult at first to understand the reason for the blocking of his way. However he was not long in doubt. For Paul had a vision in the night, and there stood before him a man of Macedonia beseeching him, and saying, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us".

Then Paul, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel unto them, "Immediately * * endeavoured to go into Macedonia".

Thus did the Holy Spirit direct the feet of His servants. God saw not only the man of Macedonia, but he saw in Europe, lying beyond, a soil that would prove fertile to the Truth; and beyond Europe he saw our own land, America, in the coming days, the land of the Puritans and the land of the open heart and of freedom in worship.

Thus it was that through Paul, the Gospel first traveled westward and not eastward. How thankful we should be for the man of Macedonia, and for the purposes of God which sent the Gospel out from Jerusalem, westward toward Italy and afterwards on to the British Isles, and afterward across the seas.

What a debt we owe to others. Now God is calling us to girdle the whole world, east and west and north and south with the story of salvation.

"Have you had a kindness shown, pass it on,

‘Twas not given thee alone, pass it on;

Let it travel down the years,

Let it help another’s fears,

Till in Heaven the deed appears,

Pass it on."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR