1 Corinthians 16:7-9 is crucial for understanding how The LORD operates in our lives.

It says:

“⁷For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if The LORD permits. ⁸But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” 1 Corinthians 16:7-9.

Paul is writing this letter as he wants to go see these people in their city, but he says, “… if The LORD permits.”

It would be a great idea if Paul went to see these people. Paul could encourage them, do miracles, heal people, preach, remove demons, establish good elders and deacons in the church, and so much more.

If Paul were to attend this Church, there would be zero bad things that could happen — only positive things.

However, Paul said, “…. If The LORD permits.”

So, why would God potentially say “no” to Paul going to this Church, if this would be an enormous blessing to the people?

Verse 9 tells us — “there are many adversaries.”

We have power over the enemy, but it does not mean we do whatever we want and whenever we want.

We have to wait on The LORD — because He is “playing chess” with the enemy.

This is why God does not tell us all the little details about the future.

Imagine if God said to you, “In three months you will live in California. You will fly to California using Delta Airlines and on the plane you will sit in seat 13B. When you arrive in California, you will take a taxi to your hotel and the taxis drivers name will be Bill. Two months later you will buy a yellow house with a blue door…”

Yes, God does this type of thing by saying many details, but He does not do it all the time.

But why?

The enemy can get involved. Just as Paul said.

For example, the enemy could influence people:

• to buy Delta Airlines tickets for that flight, so now the plane is full and you have to take another airline carrier.
• Or the enemy could use people to buy the yellow house with the blue door — the house that God had planned for you.
• Or the enemy could cause a sickness so that Bill is ill that day and cannot drive you to the hotel.
• Or the enemy could cause a delay in some kind of paperwork, so now you have to go to California in five months instead of three!

If the enemy did that, then you might think, “God did you tell me wrong? Or did I hear you wrong?”

The answer is no!

God told you right and you heard right.

But the devil came into the situation to alter the plans and purposes God has for you.

The enemy could alter the timing of God for your life.

Demons may not understand why God wants you to buy the yellow house with the blue door, for example, but they do know that God is good and He wants good things for His children. Therefore, demons will always do the opposite of what God wants.

Here is a real life example:

There is a pastor in America who travels the country and preaches in the big lobby rooms of hotels.

He rents out the room for one night for around $5000 — but he consistently finds the hotel charging a lot more, such as $20,000 after they originally said $5000.

The pastor knew this was a devil issue, so he spoke to The LORD about it.

One time The LORD said to him, and I will paraphrase, “You are going to this city. You will preach at hotel A. Call them. But really you are going to preach at hotel B.”

The pastor called hotel A and they increased the price of the room. He then called hotel B and it was much cheaper, because they did not have the time to increase the price later in the day.

Remember, God is playing chess with the enemy and He is always three steps ahead — because God always wins!

As God is out smarting the enemy, we have to learn to wait on Him and accept the information He gives us — whether it is packed full of details or not.

Remember, God simply might tell us to build an ark with zero extra details.

To conclude, let’s go back to Paul with a quick recap.

Verse 7 – Paul says to the people — I want to see you, but only if God allows me to.

Verse 8 – Paul says — I am going to wait in another city as I wait on The LORD.

Verse 9 – The enemy is seeking to destroy the plans of God.

And The Holy Spirit says: “It is time to wait on Me.

I will guide you and direct you. Your life is in My hands.

Do not worry for I know what you want and what you need.

I will help you in every situation for I AM good and I do good things for you.

I will see to it that you prosper and I will help you along the way.

Wait on Me and be patient.

Many are not patient for they do not know what I AM doing behind the scenes.

Sometimes this is not for you to know!

Be patient! I AM here! Waiting on you as you wait on Me!”

 

~ James Coffey

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James Coffey is a prophetic servant for Jesus Christ. His desire is to help people get informed about who Jesus is, and what is He is doing during these end times..

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