“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south…’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official…The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I…unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him…Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:26-39.
The sun rose that morning and Philip had many things to accomplish I am sure. As he went about his day surrendered to God he was given an extremely vague assignment without details. He was obedient to God with this assignment without asking questions. He obeyed the instructions anticipating God’s activity along the way. Once a chariot was in sight he was given the next baby step of approaching the chariot. Philip immediately ran up to the chariot once again without any details. I would imagine any of us would feel uncomfortable with these limited instructions with a perfect stranger and important official no doubt. In the end, Philip’s assignment allowed God to work through his obedience to save a lost soul who would have a valuable impact in his region. Scripture says that Philip was suddenly taken away, and the eunuch did not see him again but was filled with joy.
This story has so many applications in the life of the Christian. First and foremost, there will always be chariots along the way for God to assign our service. Secondly, we must be surrendered to recognize our chariots. Thirdly, we must not tarry but approach our assignments making ourselves available for the next set of instructions. Through this process God will accomplish His purpose through those who are surrendered to Him. The final principle is that while Philip was His chosen instrument for this man’s salvation the real glory went to God as the vessel was removed and replaced with the Holy Spirit.
We cannot miss the activity of God which is all around us. We must posture ourselves in expectation of receiving assignments from God. Everyone has a function in the Body of Christ to bring those unsaved souls to Him. We must open our spiritual eyes and ears to accomplish His will. ‘He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.’ John 8:47.
This example was lived out in my Griefshare group. The morning before the group was to meet one night, I realized that the subject was ‘Why God?’ I felt God was leading me to put together a handout explaining the unconditional and sustaining love of God and His character. After the group went through the evening this one member informed us that she didn’t believe in God but took the handout home. She came back a few times then never returned. Through Griefshare she was exposed to the transforming comfort and healing of God through the testimonies of the other members. She never returned but her chariot has been touched by God through our little group. God used this group to introduce her to the real God and to experience what He can do through the life of a believer at the most difficult time in their lives. We will never know what impact this group had on her but much like the eunuch she was shown the face of God in a hurting nation. Some things you can never ‘un-see’!
Don’t miss your chariots for they are lining your streets!
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