The Lord’s Guidance
Opening Prayer
Give thanks to the Lord for the many ways he uses to guide us. Ask for his clear and gracious guidance today.
Read Acts 10:9-23
[9] About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. [10] He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. [11] He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. [12] It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. [13] Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” [14] “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” [15] The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” [16] This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. [17] While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. [18] They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. [19] While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. [20] So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” [21] Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” [22] The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” [23] Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How did God prepare Peter to meet the Gentile Cornelius?Peter had originally set out to encourage and teach the Christians in Judea; however, the Lord had another task for him, as well. At Joppa, he was in the right place at the right time, but the Lord needed to prepare his mind, to shift his thinking before he was ready to help Cornelius. Peter, going to pray, was distracted by hunger and then this vision appeared (9-12). Jewish law had definite stipulations about what was and was not appropriate to eat. So to eat the wrong food, or even the right food wrongly prepared, was considered a sin. What indignity! Eat something unclean! No, never (13,14)! The Lord’s response (15) would have baffled him. Three times this happened, enforcing the importance of what was being said. Peter only gradually understood what this message was about (17,19). To help Peter see that the Lord was leading him, he has a spiritual prompting regarding the arrival of his visitors. And he was ready to listen and to respond to their request.
Apply
Has God been prompting you to share your faith with someone? Be prepared for any opportunity that arises.
Closing prayer
Pray that you will be sensitive and obedient to the Lord’s gracious guidance. Thank God for it.
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