Acts Chapter 8: Verses 4-5 (NIV-UK)
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.
Following the martyrdom of Stephen, there was a season of great persecution on the fledgling church, but God was still answering the prayer of the disciples that we read of earlier, where they had asked for boldness to preach the word. Here we see Philip going to a Samarian city. Perhaps not somewhere that would have been his first personal choice, given the history between the Jews and the Samaritans. And signs and wonders followed the preaching of God’s word. Such that the people had to sit up and pay attention to what Philip said.
When we are having a hard time but we allow God to move through us in the hardship, He will honour His word and people will notice. Often its in the hard times when we have to stand on the promises that God has given us, and we might even find ourselves in places that we wouldn’t have chosen for ourselves. But what a privilege for God to move through us in these circumstances.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for honouring Philip’s boldness and obedience. Help me to emulate that, no matter what circumstances I find myself in. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.