Friday, Feb 18
Divine encounters
Scripture: Leviticus 7-8, Psalm 21, Acts 25
Observation
Paul had the opportunity to share his story and the gospel with Governors Felix and Festus, King Agrippa and his wife Bernice, the military commanders and prominent men of the regional capital city, Caesarea. How did Paul manage to get an audience with the most powerful people in the region?
He got arrested.
And detained…for two years.
There had to be many days when Paul wondered, “What am I doing here?” Or, to put it another way, “Why am I sent here?” I wonder if Paul thought of the Joseph story in Genesis.
God used Paul’s unjust arrest and imprisonment to get the gospel into the highest circles of power and influence. It was a divine encounter.
Application
I’ve been asking myself this question every day: Why am I sent here? To this place at this time and these people? What is God doing, and how can I join Him?
I may or may not have opportunities to share the gospel in the inner circles of power. But no matter who I’m with, I can live as a sent person. I can see each moment as an opportunity—a divine encounter—to participate in God’s purposes. That’s how I want to live…every moment…every day.
And remember that you have no idea of the ripple effects you may have. The person in front of you may seem very ordinary, but God may have extraordinary plans for them. Or they may be very powerful and God may have orchestrated this moment so that you can share with them, like Paul did.
Why am I sent here? It is a divine encounter.
Prayer: Lord, help me live as a sent person today—open and aware of each divine encounter that you orchestrate in my life.