The Holy Spirit wants to reveal to you a truth that can keep you moving forward even after weakness, failure, or even an inability to lay hold of a present opportunity which has caused you to pull back due to negative energy. Through fellowship time with the Holy Spirit, you can discover “nuggets” of truth that bring you out of extremely difficult life threatening situations and show you a way forward that is still triumphant in impact, by removing the shame and disgrace which has plagued your life.

The Holy Spirit drew my attention to 2 Corinthians 2:14 which reads these words: “But thanks be to God, who in the Messiah constantly leads us in a triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of what it means to know him!” This declaration is especially significant because it follows an occasion when the Apostle Paul appears to have failed to capitalise on an open door the Lord had provided for him in Troas.

Paul was always continually looking for opportunities and open doors in different regions where he could preach the Gospel for which Christ had chosen him. He had repeatedly endured difficult circumstances, opposition, dangerous terrain, and persecution simply with the aim of reaching places where the Gospel could be proclaimed.

So even when he eventually had to leave those places, he was normally willing to fight through tremendous obstacles to take advantage of any opportunity that showed up. Therefore, it seemed strange that in Troas, when the door was open by the Lord and there were no adversaries preventing him, Paul did not remain and minister the gospel. Instead, he left and went away to go and find Titus. This fact raised an important question as to why did Paul not take advantage of this God given opportunity?

The situation appeared to be everything Paul would normally desire an open door, no opposition, and people already prepared to hear the Gospel. Why would he leave that stage when everything seemed ready? I wondered why Paul did not first seek the Holy Spirit’s confirmation concerning Titus, or at least remain long enough to speak words of encouragement and edification to those who were ready to receive his message.

Paul had taught others the importance of walking by faith and not by sight, yet on this occasion he seemed unable to take hold of an opportunity that appeared perfectly suited to his calling, which led me to ask an even deeper question concerning 2 Corinthians 2:14. How could Paul say that the Lord always leads us in triumph and spreads through us the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ when this episode appeared to contain a failure on Paul’s part?

The Precious Holy Spirit answered me with a revealing question as to whether Paul was led out in triumph on this occasion? The answer was yes. So the Holy Spirit did not fail to lead Paul out in triumph. The revelation was clear that the Holy Spirit never fails to lead us out in triumph in any situation because the Lord’s triumph is never dependent upon the perfection of our performance. However, our response and availability to follow through the door of triumph determines whether the fragrance of the knowledge of God is actually manifested through us in that situation.

So Paul was led out in triumph, but he did not spread the fragrance of Christ in Troas because he did not remain there to minister the gospel which would have manifested the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ for them to behold. This distinction the Holy Spirit pointed out is crucial because the Lord’s ability to lead us into triumph never fails, but our failure to make ourselves available can prevent the manifestation of what the Lord intended to release through us in a particular moment of time.

The Holy Spirit emphasised that He needed Paul’s physical body to be present so that Paul could speak and minister the gospel of the Kingdom to the people. The Lord had prepared the opportunity, but Paul still had to make his body available for the divine purpose to be expressed through him. The fragrance of Christ does not simply manifest automatically because an opportunity exists because the human vessel must be present, willing, prepared, and obedient for the Lord to be made manifest.

This revelation became a pivotal lesson to me personally concerning the danger of allowing our personal weakness, family circumstances, worry, concern, or other distractions to interfere when the Lord creates an opportunity to release His glory through our lives. Through this revelation I recognised the importance of always being ready to share what the Lord has entrusted to me rather than allowing weakness or personal circumstances to stop the process of revealing the fragrance of Christ.

I declare that the grace of the Holy Spirit is released upon you to remain spiritually alert, prepared, willing, and available for every divine opportunity God creates for you. You will not miss the doors of opportunity that the Lord opens before you. You will not allow fear, weakness, worry, family concerns, inconvenience, disappointment, or personal circumstances to prevent you from fulfilling the assignment of the Holy Spirit.

I declare that your spiritual senses are becoming sharper and more resolute so you will be able to recognise divine appointments and know when the Master is calling you to act. Your waist will be girded and your lamp will remain burning, and you will be found watching and ready when the Lord comes and knocks. (Luke 12:35-37). Where you have previously missed opportunities, the Holy Spirit will teach you, then restore you once again, and position you again for the fulfilment of His purposes for your life.

I declare that shame and disgrace will never have the final word over your life because you will arise from weakness with renewed strength and walk forward in the triumph of Christ. The Holy Spirit will make your body, your voice, your time, and your life available as instruments through which the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ is released everywhere you go (2 Corinthians 2:14). You will not merely experience the Lord’s triumph, but you will become a vessel through whom His triumph is manifested to others in Jesus name. Amen.