Divine Appointments

I want to remind you today about Divine appointments. Those special occasions, when God Himself, providentially causes something to take place in your life that is ordered and directed by Him. In fact, you may or may not even be aware of it at the time (hindsight is always easier than foresight) but even if you weren’t, God was and is in control. It may be a seeming chance encounter with someone. Like Jesus with the woman at the well. Or His meeting with Zacchaeus up a tree. Or Paul meeting Onesimus in prison, of all places.  But none of these were chance meetings. They were Divinely appointed by God Himself. Right place, right time, meeting the right person. It could happen through: A change of job, moving house, finding a partner, sitting beside someone on a plane, or on a bus. Something that impacts our lives for our good and His glory. Jesus must need go through Samaria. He must cross over Galilee to Gadara. He must not go to Lazarus until he’s four days dead. (Disappointments are sometimes God’s appointments – certainly was for Mary and Martha.) 

Who among us today qualifies for a Divine appointment? Each and every one of us. The Lord has already set the wheels in motion for it to happen. So how can you become more aware and better prepared for such a thing?

Acknowledge the Lordship of Christ over your life.

Believe that the Lord is directing your paths – that He is in control. (Provided we have given Him control.) 

Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” 

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Be prayerful for good direction.

Phil.4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”

F.B.Meyer “When we want to know God’s will, there are three things which always occur: the inward impulse, the Word of God, and the trend of circumstances…Never act until these three things agree.”

Be thankful and praiseful for God’s Divine appointments.

Simeon was, and Anna was, for their Divine appointments. They burst forth into song and prophecy and gave thanks.  (Luke 2:25-38) 

…but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving…

God not only has Divine appointments for you. But, He has you as a Divine appointment – You become someone else’s Divine appointment.

Phillip was a Divine appointment for the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:25 – 40)   

Joseph in Egypt for his family and his nation. (Gen.45 & 50:1-15)  

The little captive maid of Naaman the Syrian General. (11Kings 5:3-4)  

Esther was a Divine appointment for her people. (Esther Ch.4:13-14)

“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: ‘Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet, who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” 

- Pastor David Goudy