3RD WEEK OF EASTER

Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness. 

You can almost hear these words from today’s psalm on the lips of the Ethiopian court official after he met Philip (see Acts 8:39). The official had just been to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship and was reading from the prophet Isaiah as he traveled home. As he was wondering what the words could mean, he suddenly noticed a man running alongside his chariot. “Do you understand what you are reading?” the man called out (8:30). The official invited Philip into his chariot, and just like that, everything changed.

This court official was clearly devout. He had worshipped in Jerusalem and prayerfully read the Scriptures. But he longed to understand more. Little did he know that God already had a plan in motion to do exactly what the psalmist had prayed for: show him kindness and answer his prayer. At the perfect moment, the Lord brought Philip to explain the Scriptures to him. The Lord provided water for his baptism. The Lord filled him with freedom and joy.

God saw the stirrings of this man’s heart even before he prayed. That’s true for us as well. God sees the longings of every person who is seeking him—even before they realize what they’re looking for!

Our heavenly Father is always ready to bring light and life to us—and to everyone seeking him. He wants us to know him. His deepest desire is that his love, peace, and strength would find a place in our hearts. So he may lead us to a particular Scripture passage or put a person like Philip in our path to show us his faithfulness. He may provide a helping hand in the middle of a trying time or answer a prayer.

Just as the Lord knew where this official was and what was stirring in his heart, he sees you and knows you as well. Even as you are seeking him, he is already working to answer you. He hears your prayers, whether they are for yourself or for a loved one. And that knowledge can bring you comfort and hope!

“Thank you, Lord, that you do not refuse our prayers. Even now, in your kindness, you are sending an answer.”

Acts 8:26-40
John 6:44-51
Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20