Years ago when the U.S. draft law was in effect, a friend of mine received his draft summons soon after enrolling in school. He confided to me he was undecided what to do, since he believed God led him to enroll in school. My advice to him was I believed this draft summons confirmed God’s will that he join the military. Perhaps this helps to explain what happened when Paul and Silas were on their way to take the Gospel message. We read this in Acts Chapter 16. “Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.” How did the Holy Spirit prevent them? We don’t know for sure, but some think Roman soldiers might have stopped Paul going in one direction and a vision confirmed a different direction. We know God can guide in various ways: His word, visions, intuition, godly counselors, prayer, and perhaps by using government authorities. God can guide us in many ways. Our most reliable and surest way to be in God’s will comes from having a passionate desire to obey Him.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
