Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Thursday, August 13, 2026

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.¹

The year was 1920. The scene was the examining board for selecting missionaries. Standing before the board was a young man named Oswald J. Smith. One dream dominated his heart. He wanted to be a missionary. Over and over again, he prayed, “Lord, I want to go as a missionary for you. Open a door of service for me.” Now, at last, his prayer would be answered.

When the examination was over, the board turned Oswald Smith down. He did not meet their qualifications. He failed the test. Oswald Smith had set his direction, but now life gave him a detour. What would he do? As Oswald Smith prayed, God planted another idea in his heart. If he could not go as a missionary, he would build a church which could send out missionaries. And that is what he did. Oswald Smith was pastor of The Peoples Church in Toronto, Canada, which sent out more missionaries than any other church at that time. Oswald Smith brought God into the situation, and God transformed his detour into a main thoroughfare of service.²

Over the course of eighty years, Oswald Smith preached more than 12,000 sermons in 80 countries, wrote thirty-five books, which were translated into 128 languages, and wrote 1,200 poems. His heart was to be a missionary and take the Gospel message around the world, and that is exactly what he did! God just had a different image in mind of what that looked like for Oswald.

So, when God puts a detour in your path, you will never know what results it may produce. Our limited mind cannot see the larger picture God has in mind, so trust His plan for you. Through Him you can do amazing things!

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you that when I surrender my life to you, you direct my paths and lead me in the way you want me to go. Help me trust your plan and be faithful in the work you have given me to do. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

1. Romans 8:28 (NIV).
2. Brian L. Harbour, Rising Above the Crowd. Cited on http://www.bible.org/

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