Divine Appointments

I subscribe to an e-mail devotional that is written by one of my heroes, Max Lucado. Last Friday the devotion was titled, "My Message Is About Him" and it detailed the fact that so often we let our need for affirmation and desire for applause become our focus. In reality, the work we do is God's work and we are blessed that He allows us to take part in what He is accomplishing. It's not about us, it's about Him. So running with that thought, here is some scripture (and commentary) I thought I would share.

Matthew 9:37-38 tells us, "then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plentious but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

Notice that the harvest is ready. We are not told who prepared the field, planted it, or watered it, but that is okay. We know who has prepared this harvest for us. We are invited to labor in the harvest. The fruit is already ripe and ready. We do not need to do any further preparation, we merely need to trust "the Lord of the harvest" that He will send us where we should go.

Also, notice that He says "the laborers are few" To me, this means that there are many who are truly seeking the fields prepared for them. I think sometimes we plan to work in this great harvest, but end up in the wrong field. We need to be prayerfully open to our work assignments and willing to go where we are sent, not necessarily where it is convenient to go.

Consider Jonah for a minute. He was willing to deliver God's message, until it took him to Ninevah. What's your Ninevah? You can bet, if you have a Ninevah, God's going to send you there.

Now turning to Acts.

Acts 8:26-29--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. And he arose and went: and behold a man of Ethiopia, a 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, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias, the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

First of all, Philip is receptive and responsive to the Spirit's urging. I think we fall short of this often because we put things off. We'll do it later. The scripture above doesn't say that Philip waited. God had set up this appointed place and time for the Ethiopian to be waiting. I believe He even led the Ethiopian to that particular scripture. So when the Spirit urged him, he went.

Acts 9:8-16--And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for behold he prayeth. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel; for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Again, we see Ananias walking into a situation fully prepared by God. Saul has been placed in this position and humbled sufficiently to bring him the knowledge of the truth. All Ananias was required to do in this situation was to show up. God had already told Saul who to look for. Ananias simply had to obey.

Acts 10: 30-33--And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

This is probably my favorite passage of them all, because knowing the history here, we find God working on both sides of the conversation this time. Not only does he prepare Cornelius for the message Peter is bringing, he prepares Peter to bring it.

We must remember that our responsibility is to remain open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in our lives and follow His lead.

Finally, all the glory goes to God. Like I said in the beginning, it's about Him.

I Corinthians 3:6--I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.