| Divine Appointments
Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25
“He left Judea and went again to Galilee. He had to travel through Samaria, so He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property that Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, worn out from His journey, sat down at the well. It was about six in the evening. A woman of Samaria came to draw water.” (John 4:3-7)
Jesus didn’t have to go through Samaria, He could have done like most Jews and gone north on the eastern bank of the Jordan to avoid having to deal with the Samaritans. But He HAD to go through there because He was compelled. We have to remember that Jesus walked as a man, like us. He had to be obedient to the prompting of the Spirit, like us. He came to this well tired and just looking for some water, like us, but the Father had a ministry opportunity set up. He had designed a divine appointment.
I flew into Kansas City awhile back and on my way to my hotel room I stopped to pick up some dinner. After hitting a drive through I noticed a little cake shop and thought something sweet might be nice for after my dinner. I walked in and a young girl with big hickeys came out from the back to take my order.
I was looking for a “Jesus in,” you know, a way to strike up spiritual conversation. I made mention about swatting the huge mosquitos that she had encountered. She laughed a little and I spoke a little Christianese, shared some testimony, you know how we do. Then on my way out of the door the Holy Spirit said, “Pray for her.” I said, “No, I’m half way out of the door and she’s already ducked into the back. I’m tired.”
I made it to the car where I ruefully turned around and went back into the shop. I hollered for the young lady to come back out. After what felt like the longest time, she emerged from the back. I began, “I don’t want you to think I’m weird or anything for coming back in, but I am a Christian and God told me to pray for you. Would it be alright if I prayed for you?” She said yes. Before I got started I grabbed her hands and asked her name. Guess what? Her name is Rhema. I said, “No way! How do you spell it?” And of course it was Rhema. I asked her if she knew what her name meant and she said, “God’s Word.”
This young lady, trying to find her way, was named by someone who knew God well enough that Rhema means God’s Word. I was so humbled as I thought there was probably a parent out there praying that God would send someone to pray and witness to their little girl; to show her God loves her and how much she means to Him. He sent a complete stranger from out of state just to share that truth with her.
So I went in for cake but came out with “food that you know not of.” (John 4:32) Be available, you never know when a divine appointment is going to open up.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to be obedient when You prompt me to do something, especially if I don’t see the significance at the time. I give You all of the glory and honor and praise that is due Your name and I thank You that You hear our prayers and go through so much effort to ensure they are answered. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. And Lord, help Rhema find her way. |
