保羅寫這封書信給哥林多信徒的時候，正身在以弗所。他在書信的結尾部分談及他的未來計劃。他盼望能到哥林多去探望信徒。他一方面肯定地表示「要到你們那裡去」，但另一方面卻又知道神的心意是「我要仍舊在以弗所」。他為甚麼好像前言不對後語呢？

保羅最終可能因為沒有到訪他們，而惹來批評。但對此批評，保羅卻可以坦然地回應說：「我相信神的心意是要我這刻留在以弗所」。保羅十分清楚神在他身上的旨意。我們若想成為別人的祝福，就必須先弄清楚神對我們的旨意。

保羅知道，他若要探望哥林多信徒，就不可短暫停留一兩天，卻要逗留一段較長的時間。

此外，保羅也強調「主若許我」。這句話對我們又有何啟迪呢？我們可能想做許多事情，但神卻未必同意。這似乎很奇怪，是嗎？我們想為主做很多工作，但神卻終究沒有照我們的期望為我們開門。但我們必須緊記，我們最重要是尋求神的心意、與神同行和等候祂的時間。

保羅知道，神的旨意是叫他在那段時間留在以弗所。但他也同時知道，只有神叫他離開，他才可以離開。甚麼時候才可以離開？他不知道；但他知道神的時間是最好的，所以祂叫他離開的時候，他便會離開。

保羅最後也提到有人反對他。凡為主工作的人，都總免不了遭人反對。但我們要緊記，住在我們心中的王，遠遠大過這世界的王。事奉基督必須付出代價；可是，知道自己活在神的旨意中，卻是無比的快樂。

禱告：

「主啊，求你保守我，使我行在你的旨意中，懂得等候你的時間和你的帶領。」

Paul was in Ephesus when he wrote this epistle to the Corinthians. Now in closing he speaks about his future plans. He hoped to visit Corinth. He spoke definitely, yet he recognized the will of God. Notice his words, 'I will visit you', also I will stay in Ephesus.' Why did he say these two opposite things?

There had been criticism because Paul had not gone to Corinth, but had only written a letter.

But Paul was able to say, 'I believe this is the will of God for me at this time'. Paul was certain of God's will. If you want to be a blessing to others, first of all make sure you know the will of God for your own life.

Paul knew the Corinthians 'needed an extended visit-not just for a day or so, but for a longer period of time.

Paul also said 'as the Lord permits'. How do we apply this? You may want to do so much, but God has not yet permitted you to do it. That seems strange, doesn't it? You want to get on with the job for Christ, but somehow the Lord has never opened the door that you have been hoping for. It is a wonderful thing to be in the will of God and to walk with him, waiting for his time.

Paul knew it was God's will for him to be in Ephesus just, then. He knew too that he could only move on when God said he should. When would that be? He didn't know, but he was willing to leave it there because he knew how wonderful was the timing of the Lord.

Paul also speaks of those who are against him. This is often true in the Lord's work. But greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world. There is a cost in serving Christ, but there is always the joy of knowing you are in his will.

A PRAYER:

'Lord, keep me in your will today, waiting for your time, waiting for your guidance.'