In the 8th chapter of the book of Acts, we find an interesting story about the Apostle Philip and an Ethiopian enuch.
If you’re not familiar with the story, let me give you a brief summary of it. Philip was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. And the Bible doesn’t give the name of the enuch, it only tells us that he was from Ethiopia, and was a court official for Candace who at the time was Queen of Ethiopia.
Well, the enuch had come to Jerusalem on a trip and was now making his way back home in his chariot. The Bible says that he was stopped in his chariot and was reading the book of Isaiah, but did not understand what he was reading. So, the Holy Spirit told Philip to, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” and the Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.”
So, when Philip came to the chariot and asked the enuch if he understood what he was reading, the enuch replied, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And Philip was used by God to explain to this enuch what he was reading, and he became a follower of Jesus Christ and was baptized.
My point in sharing this story is, here was a guy who was trying to learn the truths of God’s Word, but he didn’t quite understand. So, God sent Philip to help him understand.
When we seek God, He WILL teach us and show us what we need to know. A couple of days ago, I got up at my usual 5:30 in the morning and after getting dressed, etc., I sat down at my computer to type out one of my daily emails that I send. I started to write on a certain topic, and thought about it for a second – and then I thought I’d rather write about something else this time. However, I couldn’t get the first topic out of my mind, and I couldn’t think of anything else to write my email about that morning, so I just went ahead with my first topic and sent the email.
later that morning, I got an email from a friend that said, “Joshua, you wrote that email today JUST for me, didn’t you!? Thank you Joshua!!!”
Well, I hadn’t written it just for them, I hadn’t really written for any specific person – just that was the topic that came to my mind that morning. However, God knew that this person needed to read that EXACT thing I was writing about to help her understand something about her relationship with God, and so He in His amazing wisdom and power gave me the words to write that morning, and wouldn’t let me think of or write about a different topic. God is ALWAYS at work in our lives, even when we don’t know it.
And that has happened more than once, people reply to an email I’ve written or a sermon I’ve preached or something, and they say – “That’s exactly what I needed to hear!” I cannot thank God enough for using me to reach people for HIS glory!
When we TRULY seek after God, He WILL make His plans and path straight before us. It might not always be instantly, but in His perfect time and plan, He will. In Jeremiah 29:13, the Bible tells us, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Maybe you have questions about God, about His Word, about what He wants in your life. God says, if we “seek Him”, we will find the answers we need. In Jeremiah 33:3, He promises, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
God WILL guide our lives if ONLY we seek Him. If we search the Bible as the enuch was doing in Acts 8, God will show us and reveal to us His plan and will guide us. He does it in various ways. It may be an email you get. It may be something that just suddenly becomes clear to you. It may be a verse of Scripture that you read. God can work in our lives any way He wants to. We just have to ask Him in prayer to guide us, and we have to seek Him with ALL our heart.
In Acts 8, the enuch didn’t understand what he was reading. BUT he was still reading it! He was seeking the answers and God opened his eyes through the Apostle Philip. Many times people say they want to know God, but they seem to expect GOD to do all the work….they just keep on living the way they’ve always lived and don’t do anything to try and find or grow closer to Him. God says we have to take the first step. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
David instructed Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” And the same applies to us!
If you seek Him, He WILL let you find Him! But you have to TRULY seek Him!
I hope you’ll TRULY seek after God and desire with ALL your heart to KNOW Him personally, and let HIM control your life!!