As Christ followers wait for specific direction to come to them from their Lord, they pray and do all that they know to do to continue the point of need ministry of the One they follow.  When direction comes it will always be in Christ’s timing and the Christ follower’s obedience to the direction will always result in Christ being exalted.

Acts 9:32-35 gives us account of Peter continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus outside of Jerusalem in a city named Lydda.  As He followed Christ there, Peter was used as an instrument in the healing of a man who had been paralyzed and had not walked in 8 years.  Jesus healed this man through Peter’s willingness to be His hand extended.  Revival broke out in the city as true revival always impacts the community and brings social change to it.

Where would Peter go next?  When would he go?  How would he know to go?  What would he do until he received direction?

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
(Act 9:36-43 ESV)

Peter followed Christ in point of need ministry in Lydda, until He received the next step.  The next step came through unlikely sources that communicated a need.  Peter did not delay.  He did not put it off explaining that things were happening where he was at that required his attention.  When Peter found out there was a need, he got up and went.  The need was the call of God.  The need was the instruction of Jesus.  He received all of the direction he needed to step out in obedience when he was informed of a need.

As a Christ follower, Tabitha was continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus through making undergarments and outer garments and distributing them to the poor in her city.  Her city was seeing the love of Christ and the Kingdom of God demonstrated through her actions as she provided for their felt needs, but her godly life and good works did not prevent her from sickness and death.  She died and the community, along with the other Christ followers, was grieving at her loss. 

When Peter arrived, he separated himself from all distractions and did what Jesus showed him to do; he prayed.  He prayed until he knew what to do next.  He received his direction through prayer.  In a boldness that only comes as a result of prayer and through the unction of the Holy Spirit, he told Tabitha to get up and he presented her to the people alive. 

Notice that Peter took no credit for this miracle.  All the credit belonged to Jesus.  A Christ follower receives direction and obeys.  Jesus does the rest.  And when Jesus does it, He will be exalted.  As a result of this miracle, many in Joppa believed.

All the while, God was doing a deep work in Peter, eliminating all prejudices from his heart so that he could minister at the point of need regardless of race, gender or status.  How do we know such a work was being done in Peter?  As he stayed in Joppa for many days waiting for his next assignment, notice that Peter stayed with Simon, a tanner.  The occupation of a tanner was considered unclean.  Because of the stink of the dead animals, the job was carried on outside a town or city.  God was doing a work in Peter and he was overcoming the prejudices of a Jew, for he recognized God’s grace in Simon regardless of his race or his occupation.

Direction comes to those who follow Christ and pray.  They may receive direction through unlikely sources, but it will come and it will always point to a need that Jesus desires that they meet.  As they step out in obedience, Christ is exalted, lives are touched and the Kingdom of God is realized on earth.

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@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org