Day 134: Roads to Rome

Romans 15:22-25

Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you, but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.

Here’s proof that, although Paul was able to perform many miracles, he didn’t know every part of the future. Here we read that Paul planned to go to Rome on his way to Spain. As we read in the book of Acts, Paul ended up getting arrested in Jerusalem and was delivered to Rome by the government because he appealed to Caesar.

Sometimes God may choose to tell us about future things if it is His will. Other times, we are only making plans and don’t really know what God will to do yet. We know from Acts that Paul was informed by God that he would go to Rome.

Eventually, Paul did end up in Rome but He didn’t go by a man-made road. He did what God wanted, the way He wanted it, and He did end up enjoying the company of the Roman believers for quite a while as he witnessed to the government leaders instead of going directly to Spain. Evidently, God wanted Paul to talk to a few leaders even if it required that he be arrested. What God wants is for us to be willing to let Him live out through us wherever He leads us.