yes, no, wait...Romans 1:10

"Romans 1:10

^{[the church in Rome are]} always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you."

I looked at that text at first and thought it to be nothing of significance. I read it and thought, well, Paul is telling these saints he prays for them and wants to visit soon. Sure that's great! That's a nice thing to tell someone, and comforting to hear kind words, from someone of Paul's position. Then I read it again, as I read the same chapter daily in my quiet time until I complete verse by verse expositional study through the chapter, and something struck me. This passage was incredibly significant and illuminated so many truths about God, His will and purposes.

Paul is telling the church that they are always in his prayers. Daily, hourly, as frequently as he prayed, he interceded for the Roman Church. But not only that, he prayed that God would allow him to embark on a journey to visit them. It's obvious that going to Rome had been pressed on his heart, and from his words "at last succeed in coming to you", his desire was to be there. But in God's providence, at the time of the writing of this letter, his travels were taken elsewhere, and Paul did not find himself on the road to Rome.

When you look at this Apostolic age of the early church, it meant something of great magnitude to travel out of one's region, anywhere. On foot or by sea, these modes of transportation were arduous and tiresome, and, depending on distance and time of year, it took upwards of 6 months to reach the destination. So apart from personal encounters that Paul, or any other Apostle, made with churches or saints, sending their written letters took efforts too. That meant someone else had to make that journey instead. Think of the last 6 months. What did you do? A whole bunch of things! To commit that time for only one task meant the importance of document or visitation was something of great value.

With that said, Paul really really really wanted to go. God had other things in mind, at that time. And because Paul so desperately wanted to be in fellowship with the Roman saints, which is a godly desire, He couldn't wait to tell them about God's gospel of salvation. So he penned it and sent it.

Paul wanted to go, God said no. That's the jist of it.

Now, think about this: had Paul gone to Rome when he desired to go, he wouldn't have had the need to write this letter. That means, in my opinion, there would not be a letter of Romans, like we have today.

Romans is the quintessential book of the bible to present the totality, in depth, most comprehensive spread of the gospel. Many commentators say it's the greatest book of the bible. To be sure, it's the apex of the Christian church today. Magnifying, glorifying Christ. Showing the mercy and judgement that God gives. And God used it to explode the Church onto the scene, to develop the Church and spread truth to all nations. All because God told Paul, "Not yet buddy."

That's deafening to think about. That rips out my heart, and all it's desires, and throws it on the ground, on top of my face, because it rips my face off too! That shows the supremacy of God, and his good purposes. That shows God's sovereign will. That shows that when I think I have my plans, and my purposes and desires, and God tells me "no", and "wait", that I need to revel and praise Him for that. That brings me to respond in ardent, continual worship to Him, because His plans are good.

Paul wanted a visit, but since God told him no, he wrote a letter that rocked the core of the Christian Church for all time.

Because I want things in my life, and God tells me no, I can only wonder what God will do in effect to that. The causality are my desires being shut down, which in typical fashion, my flesh responds in sin and a discontent position. But the effect is that, even while I might complain to God, good things will come from it. Even if not in correlation with my life, good things will happen to other people. And ultimately, God is glorified. Which is all that really matters.

It's nice to step back and actually trust God. Big and little things. Not prosperity, but real, amazing aspects of life.

Marriage is the second most important decision in one's life, next to relationship with Jesus, and God knows that and good things in store for those who trust Him.

Finances are either what we worship, or how we worship God. And to trust him with our money, and be generous and good stewards, to give back to God, and use it for legacy, investing in kingdom building will either make or break how we respond to God.

Career is the way to support a marriage and earn money, both to worship God in. God knows and has a plan for those who are faithful stewards. We should worship God in our job, not complain and work harder than those who aren't saved.

The way I respond to God and have relationship with him are not contingent upon those three areas of my personal life. You see, God has said "no" to me, after years of praying, in all those departments, and I haven't been happier with my life than I am right now. So I praise God for it!

I'm broke, single and work a part time job at a coffee shop...but my life is so satisfying. God is sustaining my life, and he's given me joy about it. That is to say for this time in my life; I do desire to be married, and have a great job, be educated and affluent for the gospel, but since those things aren't in my life, I take this side of worshiping God for what he's held from me at this time.

By the way, you never see this anywhere else. The world, other religions..etc. It's inconceivable to be optimistic in trials. It's ridiculous to be happy when things don't go your way. Being glad about having things withheld, showing joy in the lack of something is crazy talk by the world's standards. In fact, it's a popular belief that when things aren't going your way, you've done something wrong, bad karma or you're not doing enough. It could just be that for that specific time in life, God has another path for you. 


God is good. I love how God's word doesn't return void, and how applicable and personal it is, two thousand years later. Thank you Lord for your good and perfect will. Amen!