Have you ever needed help, and someone unexpectedly showed up just at the right time? I remember not long ago I was in the Mexico City Airport and needed help but didn’t speak Spanish. Just at the right time a young man who could speak Spanish and English happened to be there to help me. He did not work at the airport, but was just coming by to meet someone, and in the process helped me. In our story, the Ethiopian was struggling to understand the text he was reading. At just the right time Philip was directed by the Holy Spirit to help him.
The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” 30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. 32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 33 He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. [1] Acts 8:29-35
God is aware of the situation you are currently in, whatever that may be. He is the good shepherd who cares for each sheep and knows them all by name. Our Savior is the God of intervention. He is the Divine Intruder who knows every detail our lives. Many times in life we may think a helpful encounter was by chance, but it was really a God appointment to help us along our journey.
Give thanks and praise to the Lord who sends people to help us along our journey of life. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [2] Isaiah 41:10
Listen here to hear the story of Philip and the Ethiopian: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-the-divine-intruder/the-divine-intruder-and-philip#_=_
[1, 2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 8:29–35, Isaiah 41:10). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.