Good morning. It’s October 18, 2023. With the world's attention fixed on the events between Israel and Gaza, we find that this conflict has ancient roots dating back to biblical times. We are currently reading from the Book of Acts as part of our Life Journal reading plan, and in this passage, we witness the evangelist Philip on his way to Gaza. Get ready. Just as in the Temple (Mark 11:15), where the Lord turned tables, He is about to do it again. Read on…"
Today's Reading:
Job 3,4; Acts 8,9
Scripture
"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” On his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”)…. Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him." (Acts 8:26-27, 37)
Observation
Gaza was not only the place where Samson was imprisoned by the Philistines, but also where his life concluded as he toppled the arena, ending the lives of his enemies. The tables turned! Later, the Philistines, who ruled the land, would be defeated by Israel. Gaza, one of their principal towns, became a city of great commerce. In Acts 8, this is also where Philip, the evangelist, met an Ethiopian and conducted a baptism!
Application
As the world focuses its news broadcasts on the developing events between Gaza and Israel, in today's reading we find a baptism ceremony in the same city! The terrorist group Hamas, which violently took control in 2007 from the Palestinian Authority, awakened the giant of Israel because of a belief system that told them that Israel was to be annihilated. However, God’s Word remains true, and Israel will prevail. God is famous for turning tables!
When the Philistines of Gaza thought they would destroy Samson, the judge, God turned the tables. Philip’s name is derived from “Philistine,” and now Philip is baptizing in Gaza! God turns the tables. The word “Palestine,” the name of the ancient land of Israel, is derived from the word: “Philistine.” That which was once a land of enemies became the “Holy Land.”
God can and will turn the tables again and bring good out of evil. He will make straight the crooked paths, and He can bring life from death.
Prayer
God, please send a new group of people, the “Philips,” so that many will be baptized into Christ. Our prayer is that:
- The war will not spread to other countries
- Peace will come soon
- Hostages be released
- Humanitarian efforts flood in for the wounded and innocent in Gaza and Israel.
You would bring revival and turn the tables; for what the enemy intended for harm, You can turn for good (Gen. 50:20)
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