Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Acts 8 and Psalm 76

Acts 8 bears testimony to the fruitfulness of the simple Gospel message. Having been scattered by Saul’s persecution, the early believers couldn’t help sharing the good news of Jesus wherever they went, and the Kingdom-Family of God continued to grow.

One highly effective Christian was the deacon Philip (see Acts 6:5), who preached the Gospel with many accompanying signs and miracles in the city of Samaria. In a very real way, He ministered the truth and power of Jesus to the Samaritans and they came to faith in Christ in large numbers.

But the part of Philip’s ministry that really stands out for me today is the way he immediately obeyed the Lord’s call to, ‘Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (v.26). This was literally a road less travelled. There was another far more popular route he could have taken to Gaza. But the Lord was very specific, and Philip obeyed. And as it turned out, the Lord had a divine appointment with an Ethiopian eunuch travelling down that particular road. As Philip “bumped into” his entourage and ministered to him sensitively, this important man wholeheartedly surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord.

It all started with one simple act of absolute obedience from Philip. Against all common sense, he left a successful ministry in Samaria to go down a desert road. But, on that road, his divine appoinment with the eunuch led to that man’s eternal destiny being changed; and the Gospel travelled back with him into Africa.

Life application: Is God leading you to have a conversation with someone specific today? Be sensitive and obedient to His prompting and allow Him to place you in a “divine appointment” with someone today. Then speak gently and confidently, as you have opportunity, sharing your testimony of what Jesus has done.