WHEN GOD MOVES
Scripture Reading: John 5:1-9
When Jesus saw him lying there, and new that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” – John 5:6
Do you want to be made well? That sounds like an interesting question to ask a man who has suffered an infirmity for thirty-eight years. But the question was important. Not everyone who prays is looking for an answer. People sometimes build a lifestyle and an economy around their problem. Sometimes the prospect of being free is scary because people cannot fathom what to do without their persistent need. Let’s examine three factors from this encounter.
• EXPECTANCY The passage describes a multitude of sick people waiting for the movement of the water. The move of the Holy Spirit works best when there is a state of anticipation. No one could tell when the water would be stirred but they were always expecting. Recurrent disappointments can make us faint and weary but we must choose to keep expecting God to move.
• DIVINE TIMING. At a certain season, an angel stirred the water. There are timings of God when things are activated. We must be alert to God’s timings and seasons. Some stirrings and disturbances God initiates are a precursor to a new season of your life.
• ACTION. Whoever stepped into the water first was healed. In your season of opportunity, be bold and act quickly. The problem of the sick man was not a lack of movement of the Holy Spirit. It was a lack of decisive action. When God is moving, your reaction is important. Certain moments in our live cannot be duplicated. We must, therefore, be ready to act when God stirs the water or opens a door. Prepare to take advantage of the move of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Prayer: Father, may I always be sensitive to the move of the Holy Spirit.
