Divine appointments
And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. ~ Acts 25:13
I have been in court hearings before. More than I care to talk about. In my experience, they were stressful, inconvenient, and filled with tension. I never once considered court to be a divine appointment or a place where I could share my faith. That was not the case with the apostle Paul. He considered every moment and every audience a divine appointment. He followed God’s plan so closely that he recognized God was arranging each opportunity for him to share his testimony and the message of salvation.
In today’s reading, it was no accident that Festus became the new procurer or that King Agrippa arrived in Caesarea at that exact time. God was preparing an opportunity for the gospel to be heard. As soon as Agrippa heard about Paul, he wanted to listen to what Paul had to say. Paul’s reputation had been widely discussed, and everyone in that region knew who he was, including the king. Each time Paul was brought before leaders to answer accusations, he turned the moment into an opportunity to share God’s story. He trusted God’s perfect timing and believed that God was guiding him through every legal proceeding. Paul did not resent being imprisoned. He simply viewed it as a new congregation and a new setting where he could share God’s love and the truth of salvation.
What about you? Do you consider each meeting or conversation as a divine appointment created by God? Do you maintain your witness when unexpected or uncomfortable moments come? You can begin to see divine appointments in your own life by giving each part of your day to God and asking Him to guide your conversations. He will prepare hearts and bring the people who need encouragement and truth. Even when you do not see immediate results, trust that seeds have been planted, and God is watching over each word you speak. He will bring growth at the right time.
Here are some practical steps you can take to apply this truth in your life:
- Commit your day to God in prayer, then ask Him to guide your conversations and interactions.
- Pay attention to interruptions and unplanned moments, then ask God how He wants to use them.
- Share something simple such as a kind word, a testimony, or a promise from Scripture.
- Ask God to give you courage and clarity when He brings someone your way.
- End your day by thanking Him for each moment He used, even the ones that felt unexpected.
Today I want to encourage you to begin seeing every encounter as a moment God has prepared just for you. Ask Him to guide your steps so you do not overlook the divine appointments He has already placed in your path. Be ready to share His love with anyone He brings your way. Trust that every word you offer is a seed planted in soil He has already prepared. Do not look at setbacks or unplanned situations as inconveniences, instead ask your heavenly Father how those moments can become life-changing opportunities meant to impact someone for eternity.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 25:13-27
13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.
14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,
15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.
16 To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’
17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed,
19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”
“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in.
24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him.
26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.
27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”
Journal:
- What situations in my day feel inconvenient, and how might God turn them into divine appointments?
- Who has God placed in my life recently that may need encouragement or faith?
- What step can I take today to be more aware of God’s leading in each meeting or conversation?
- What seeds have I planted before that I can continue praying over now?
The Daily Dose 