June 12

Expect the Unexpected

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 132:1-5 | 1 Kings 9:1-10:29 | Acts 8:14-40 | Proverbs 17:2-3

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Acts 8:14-40

“As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he did, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah” (Acts 8:26-28 NLT).

The one who is led by the Spirit is in for an adventure. You never know what unexpected opportunities you will encounter. Such was the life of Philip.

He had been preaching in Samaria and had the unexpected opportunity to find the Samaritans receptive to the gospel.

Now he was given specific direction to take a certain road. He found an Ethiopian official sitting in a carriage reading aloud from Isaiah. Again, Philip gets his direction from the Spirit, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”

Hearing what the man was reading, Philip was given the unexpected opportunity to explain that scripture and many others that pointed to Christ as the Messiah. It became an unexpected opportunity to share the gospel with a man from Ethiopia.

You never know what opportunities lay ahead when the Spirit leads you. Learn to know his voice through walking intimately with him. Take the time to be quiet and listen. Solitude and silence are two disciplines that are often neglected in our busy and noisy lives. Then led by the Spirit, expect the unexpected.

All wise God, give me the sensitivity to be led by the Spirit today, to hear your voice, to see you at work, to recognize open doors. Give me the faith to expect the unexpected this day and in the days to come. Amen.