Ep 423 – Acts 16:1-10

It's so easy to see life as just some random collection of isolated and unrelated events. Even as believers, we can be lulled into a false sense that everything we encounter in life is nothing more than a byproduct of chance of fate. But as we read the account of Luke, recorded in the Book of Acts, we can't help but see the underlying handiwork of God, orchestrating the lives of the characters and directing the affairs of their lives in such a way that His will is perfectly accomplished. In Acts 16:1-10, we have Luke's account of Paul meeting Timothy for the first time. And, as usual, his retelling of the event tends to come across as just another chance encounter. When Paul arrived in Lystra, Timothy just happened to be there. And this young man, who had come to faith in Christ, in part because of the influence of his mother and grandmother, made an impression on Paul. So much so, that he would become his traveling companion and protégé. The encounter between these two men was anything but luck. It was the divine will of God, and it happened at just the right time. Paul and Barnabas were going to part ways and Paul would be forced to find himself a new traveling companion. Enter Timothy. At just the right time and with just the right credentials to meet the need. Paul was being led by the Spirit of God. His ministry needs were being divinely met and the direction for his ministry was being directed from above. He was operating within the will of God and being directed by the Spirit of God. All for the glory of God.