Thursday, January 5, 2023

 

DIVINE APPOINTMENTS

 

Acts 8:26-29

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

 

          A longer reading of Acts chapter 8 will reveal three men that form this most interesting story. But before we meet these men, we need to understand a few things about God. First, God initiated this encounter! He knew the Ethiopian. He knew who he was, where he was, and what he was doing. He knew what he understood and what was confusing him. This eunuch sought the truth and needed help in understanding it more fully.

 

          A MAN. The eunuch embodied both the gentile and the Jewish world. He was most likely a proselyte and had gone to Jerusalem to worship. He had wealth because a scroll of scripture was difficult to produce and expensive to own. Phillip asked him an important question. “Do you understand what you are reading?” His answer introduces our second man.

 

          SOME MAN. The eunuch’s answer is interesting. When asked if he understood what he was reading. “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:” Acts 8:32. The eunuch answered humbly and correctly, “how can I except SOME MAN should guide me?” Phillip then guided the traveler to our third man.

 

          SOME OTHER MAN. Phillip began at the same scripture which was Isaiah 53: 6 and following. Phillip preached unto him JESUS.

 

          Divine appointments are Spirit led meetings that give us the opportunity to be used in God’s service for the advancement of His Kingdom. Today you represent one of three men. Perhaps you are just a man or woman. Traveling, thirsting, seeking, and trying. You need someone to guide you to truth. The truth, of course, is Jesus.

 

          If you are a believer, watch and listen for those divine appointments and detours. They have Kingdom consequences.

 

Dear Lord, help me to be flexible enough to obey your appointments today. AMEN