Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (Acts 8:5-6, NKJV)
Sounds of revival filled Samaria. As Philip preached, souls were saved. Miracles, healings, and deliverance from unclean spirits happened. Multitudes turned to the Lord in this time of spiritual awakening. Acts 8:8 says there was great joy in the city.
With so much happening, it seems strange that an angel instructed Philip to leave the Samaritan revival and head south toward the desert. And yet, that is what Philip was told to do.
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. (Acts 8:26, NKJV)
The Search for Understanding
What did Philip find along that desert road? An Ethiopian man sitting in a chariot. Philip was prompted to go near and join the man in the chariot. As Philip approached, he heard the man reading from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip inquired. The man admitted that he did not. “How can I, unless someone guides me?” he asked. Then he invited the man of God into his chariot.
Scripture doesn’t say how long that Bible study lasted, but it was long enough for Philip to explain exactly who the prophet meant in Isaiah 53. It was long enough to tell the Ethiopian about Jesus and the way of salvation. And, it was long enough for the man to understand that his next step was baptism. “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” There was enough water in that dry place for Philip to baptize a hungry soul. Then, Philip was caught away by the Spirit, and the man continued on his way rejoicing at what he had experienced (verse 39).
A Revival of One
Philip went from a city-wide revival to meeting a lone man on a desert road. It seems small, insignificant even. But nothing orchestrated by God will ever be small and insignificant. It only means that sometimes God chooses not to reveal the full scope of what He is doing to us. We may never grasp the complete spiritual significance of that one “small” event. How many lives did that man touch when he returned home with a new understanding of the Scriptures?
Remember, God often works behind the scenes to fulfill His plan and purpose. What seems small to us may be the beginning of something big in the spiritual realm. A seemingly random encounter, an unexpected phone call, a delay, a detour. Any of these “small” happenings may be God positioning us. Never underestimate what God can and will do when we listen to His voice and obey.
Philip’s willing obedience to leave a revival and head down a desert road brought truth to a seeking soul. He had no idea what or whom he might find, but he stepped out as directed. Are we willing to follow the promptings of the Lord, even if it means leaving behind something good for something unknown? Trust Him!
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” (Psalm 143:10, NKJV)
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
