Run up to Sit up (Obedience Leads to Blessings)
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- May 14
- 3 min read
Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 14 2025 | Acts 8:26-31
KEY VERSE: “. . . So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him." Acts 8:31 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In our walk with God, He calls on us to obey His Word, which is written in the Bible and spoken to us as individuals in various ways (sermons, counsel, dreams, music, etc.). When we hear from God and follow His voice gladly, we are ushered into God’s blessings.
In God’s dealings with Philip in Acts 8, there is a progressive interesting movement that shows obedience to God leads to the blessings of God.
When Philip received the angelic message to go to the desert road (verse 26), he set out to obey the directive (verse 27). He did not have any idea who was involved and what the assignment was to be. Still, in the process of obedience, he had the privilege of meeting a very important man whom he might never have had the privilege of meeting: the Minister of Finance of the wealthy Queen Candance of the Ethiopians. Further directive by the Spirit to Philip was “Go to that chariot and stay near it", Acts 8:29 (NIV). Philip’s response was to run up effortfully to the chariot. He hears the man in the chariot reading a portion of the Book of Isaiah and asks if the Ethiopian understood what he was reading. Acknowledging his need for someone to interpret the text to him, the Ethiopian “invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” Acts 8:31 (NIV).
Philip’s persistent and joyful obedience led him to sit in the chariot of a Minister of Finance, with the privilege of teaching him the rich Word of God. We must be attentive to God and follow His directives to us. When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Are you able to hear from God? Do you willingly follow the voice of God? If you need help, please talk to someone who can help you tune your heart to God and follow the thoughts of God that come to you. They will lead you to blessings.
PRAYER:
Faithful God who is no person’s debtor, you reward those who follow your instructions. Please help me hear you more clearly and follow you more closely, day by day, so that I might walk into your blessings. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 134: Judges 20-21 - War Against Benjamin; Wives for the Benjamites
DAILY word study: INVITED
The word invited in Acts 8:31 comes from the Greek (parekalesen), from the verb (parakaleō), meaning to call alongside, to urge, to summon with favour. It implies both a welcome and a request to come close.
The Ethiopian official didn’t just allow Philip into the chariot. He welcomed him with honour and need. God used Philip’s obedience to open a door of influence that couldn’t be forced. He was invited in.
Reflection:
God places us where people are ready to receive what He has deposited in us. We don’t need to push our way in. If we obey and stay sensitive, doors will open, just like they did for Philip. See Luke 14:10 for another example of being called up by invitation.
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