Streams in the Desert September 24 Daily Devotional

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: bid the Spirit suffered them not (Acts 16:7).
What a strange prohibition! These men were going into Bithynia just to do Christ's work, and the door is shut against them by Christ's
own Spirit. I, too, have experienced this in certain moments. I
have sometimes found myself interrupted in what seemed to me a
career of usefulness. Opposition came and forced me to go back, or sickness came and compelled me to retire into a desert apart.
It was hard at such times to leave my work undone when I believed that work to be the service of the Spirit But I came to remember
that the Spirit has not only a service of work, but a service of
waiting. I came to see that in the Kingdom of Christ there are not
only times for action, but times in which to forbear acting. I came
to learn that the desert place apart is often the most useful spot
in the varied life of man-more rich in harvest than the seasons in
which the corn and wine abounded. I have been taught to thank the
blessed Spirit that many a darling Bithynia had to be left unvisited by me.
And so, Thou Divine Spirit would I still be led by Thee. Still
there come to me disappointed prospects of usefulness. Today the door seems to open into life and work for Thee; tomorrow it closes before me just as I am about to enter.
Teach me to see another door in the very inaction of the hour. Help
me to find in the very prohibition thus to serve Thee, a new
opening into Thy service. Inspire me with the knowledge that a man may at times be called to do his duty by doing nothing, to work by
keeping still, to serve by waiting. When I remember the power of the "still small voice," I shall not murmur that sometimes the
Spirit suffers me not to go. --George Matheson. When I cannot understand my Father's leading. And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate,
Still I hear that gentle whisper ever pleading, God is working, God is faithful, ONLY WAIT.