DEVOTION – DAY 338

Acts 8:35-38 “God Behind The Scenes”

Acts 8:35-38 “Then, Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then, both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”

In Acts 8, an angel told the apostle Philip, to travel south using the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26). Philip obeyed the angel. On that road, Philip came across an important official, an Ethiopian Eunuch. He was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah. Philip approached the chariot and happened to hear the Eunuch read from Isaiah 53:7-8 – the part about the Messiah being led like sheep to the slaughter, the Lamb who was silent, and who unjustly lost his life. The Eunuch asked Philip if he knew whom Isaiah was referring to. Philip saw this as an opportunity for him to share the good news about Jesus using the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7-8. His sharing convicted the heart of the Eunuch. Then, they came across a body of water and the Eunuch requested Philip to baptize him.

We see the hand of God over the conversion of the Eunuch. God sent an angel to tell Philip to take that desert road. God had already softened the heart of the Eunuch for he was trying to read and understand the book of Isaiah. Philip would arrive just as the Eunuch was reading a prophetic passage about the suffering Messiah who would be the sacrificial Lamb. This led Philip to share the good news about Jesus. The gospel message convicted the Eunuch’s heart. They came across a body of water – a rare occurrence as they were on a desert road. This was an example of how God worked behind the scenes to cause someone to be saved and later to be baptized.

I was involved in a minor accident. I was directed to a reliable car repair workshop in Ampang. I drove the car to the workshop and met the workshop manager. After inspecting the damaged bumper and agreeing on the work to be done, I followed the manager back to her office to complete some paperwork. Whilst chatting to her, I discovered that she was originally from my hometown. She found out that I was serving in church and she asked me a few questions about Christianity. Sensing an interest, I left her a gospel tract. Later, when the repairs were completed, I returned to collect my car. I saw that the manager was in her office alone. I went to see her to ask if she had any questions after reading the tract. This gave me an opportunity to take her through the gospel message and to lead her to the sinner’s prayer to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. I thank God for working behind the scenes to bring salvation to this woman.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for working tirelessly to draw people to receive your gift of salvation. Please help us to seize every opportunity you give us, to boldly share the gospel. We pray this in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. How has God worked behind the scenes to prepare you to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Share.
  2. How have you seen God’s hand helping you lead others to receive Jesus Christ into their lives as Lord and Savior? Share.
  3. How will you trust the Lord to give you the opportunities to share the gospel with your loved ones?
  4. Who is the Lord leading you now to share the gospel?