A man of God shared a story about a ministry endeavour that seemed promising but stalled despite significant investment. It wasn’t until he sought God’s guidance that he realized they were operating outside of God’s plan. Obeying the revelation, they closed the mission and returned home. By doing so, they experienced the blessing of divinely ordered stops.
Friend, there is a God who orders our steps. But there’s also a God who orders our stops (Psalm 17:4, 37:23. Understanding and enjoying divinely ordered steps without understanding divinely ordered stops is the reason for failures and frustrations in the lives of many Christians today (2 Peter 2:16).
If God has never stopped you before, there is every likelihood that you are not following Him well or you are simply in error (Acts 9:1-6). You need to open yourself to God so He can tell you what to stop doing, not only what to start doing. There’s a way that seems right to you, and until God stops you, you are headed for destruction (Proverbs 14:12).
The fact that something seems right does not mean that it is right (Hebrews 5:14). Sometimes, the problem of believers is not choosing between what is right and wrong. It is choosing between what is right and what is almost right. Almost right is not the same as right. You must be willing and humble enough to let God have His way (Matthew 26:39).
Don’t let pride make you to jettison divine caution (Psalm 25:9). Don’t let your reputation before men cause you to hold unto what God is asking you to drop. Don’t ever think that you cannot be wrong. It is only God who cannot be wrong. He is the only one who is perfect. We are all on a journey of perfection (Proverbs 4:18).
But for divinely ordered stops, Samuel would have anointed the wrong king in Israel, and the purpose of God would have been affected (1 Samuel 16:6-7). When it comes to divine leading, you need to listen till the last minute. Abraham would have sacrificed Isaac, but for divinely ordered stops (Genesis 22:9-14). Where does God need to stop you today?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria