保罗写这封书信给哥林多信徒的时候，正身在以弗所。他在书信的结尾部分谈及他的未来计划。他盼望能到哥林多去探望信徒。他一方面肯定地表示「要到你们那里去」，但另一方面却又知道神的心意是「我要仍旧在以弗所」。他为甚么好像前言不对后语呢？

保罗最终可能因为没有到访他们，而惹来批评。但对此批评，保罗却可以坦然地回应说：「我相信神的心意是要我这刻留在以弗所」。保罗十分清楚神在他身上的旨意。我们若想成为别人的祝福，就必须先弄清楚神对我们的旨意。

保罗知道，他若要探望哥林多信徒，就不可短暂停留一两天，却要逗留一段较长的时间。

此外，保罗也强调「主若许我」。这句话对我们又有何启迪呢？我们可能想做许多事情，但神却未必同意。这似乎很奇怪，是吗？我们想为主做很多工作，但神却终究没有照我们的期望为我们开门。但我们必须紧记，我们最重要是寻求神的心意、与神同行和等候祂的时间。

保罗知道，神的旨意是叫他在那段时间留在以弗所。但他也同时知道，只有神叫他离开，他才可以离开。甚么时候才可以离开？他不知道；但他知道神的时间是最好的，所以祂叫他离开的时候，他便会离开。

保罗最后也提到有人反对他。凡为主工作的人，都总免不了遭人反对。但我们要紧记，住在我们心中的王，远远大过这世界的王。事奉基督必须付出代价；可是，知道自己活在神的旨意中，却是无比的快乐。

祷告：

「主啊，求你保守我，使我行在你的旨意中，懂得等候你的时间和你的带领。」

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.'