I believe the Lord is speaking comfort into disruptions, delays, and painful wait times.
He wants you to know that He is with you—in fact, right now, you are in a Divine appointment!
You may have experienced loss, but your God specializes in restoration. And He has a harvest for you.
The “Real Stuff”
Sometimes, we find ourselves stuck in what seems to be an inconvenient delay.
And we can’t wait to get through it quickly—so we can get to the “real stuff” God wants us to do!
Yet all the while, our Father is saying,
“You are not only on the way to your destination. You are in My Divine appointment right now!
I am with you, and I am for you.”
This is what happened to the Apostle Paul.
The Bright Spot on the Horizon
Just as the book of Acts is drawing to a close, Paul’s situation seems to be going from bad to worse.
He is a prisoner of the Romans—and after a long delay, Paul is finally on the way to Rome for sentencing.
The bright spot on the horizon is that God has called Paul to Rome! And he is aware God is using this trial to get him there.
But then, violent winds blow up, and the boat becomes shipwrecked.
Now, the disaster has left them stranded on the island of Malta.
People are on God’s Heart
There are people that you are only going to touch because you landed somewhere you didn’t expect.
And in Acts 28:2, we read, “The islanders showed us unusual kindness.”
Here, there are 276 people who are cast up onto the island—Paul and Luke included.
Some of these are travelers, others are Roman prisoners and guards. And there’s a Centurion named Julius.
This is the love of our God—and this is the passion of our God. He loves the unlovely!
There’s a Harvest in Your Delay
Now, God is giving this motley group of travelers an opportunity to see His power at work.
But not only that, here are the local people, the islanders of Malta:
- A small people group who are unreached
- They haven’t heard the Gospel of Jesus
Who has God placed around you at this time?
Your Father has appointed a harvest, in the very place you have experienced a disruption!
A Breakout of Healing Power
There, in a dark place, Paul ministers healing.
For the first time, the islanders see the works of the Kingdom and learn about Jesus’ love and power.
We read in verse 8:
“And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.”
And so begins a breakout of the healing power of Jesus.
Right now, a healing awakening is on God’s agenda for our own generation.
The Journey was Significant
One day, my husband Malcolm and I watched a documentary chronicling the life and journey of the Apostle Paul.
And it astonished me when the commentator only made a passing reference to Paul’s stay in Malta.
- Yet, this journey was of such significance that the Holy Spirit had Luke—who was the writer of Acts—dedicate two chapters to this event!
So, why did God allow the disaster and detour to Malta?
God Turns Your Pain Towards His Purpose
By this time, Paul has completed three major missionary journeys. He has strategically planted churches in significant hubs throughout the Roman Empire so that the Gospel can go out from there.
- Some estimate, he’s traveled over 10,000 miles! [2]
- Now, the apostle has his sights set on Rome, God’s ultimate calling for him
Paul has done all he has been called to do and the end goal—Rome—is in view.
But for the love of God, who allows an unexpected detour.
For Paul’s missionary days are not over.
Favor in Unexpected Places
What an amazing God we serve, He loves people with magnificent passion.
No one is left out.
And because of this, God may interrupt your well-ordered schedule.
At times, He will even allow your discomfort to drop you into His purposes. But He will turn the bitter into sweet.
In the place of loss, you discover God has given you new friends.
And—you find favor in unexpected places.
God has Appointed a Harvest for You
Next, God uses the islanders to shower Paul and the group of survivors with kindness.
They give them the provisions they need for the next part of their journey.
And we read in Acts 28:10 “They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.”
Perhaps, you have experienced a delay, or a disruption rocked your world.
But the favor of God is on your life and that makes all the difference.
For right here, right now—God has appointed a harvest for you.
Notes:
[1] The name Malta in Greek is “Melite”, which means “honey” (see Strong’s G3194)
[2] See here for example
Related Posts:
This is my fourth and final prophetic study on this story of Paul. The first three are here:
- Prophetic Word: The Setback Will Become Your Sweet Spot
- I Heard God Say, “I Am Resurrecting Your Dream!”
- God is Turning Your Mess into a Message
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Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
Dear Helen,
I bless the Lord for using you to send this timely message as it has come at a time for a “game over” for me at work, my Boss has been looking for ways to incriminate and terminate me from work. I pray Jesus brings in my bountiful harvest before the devil brings shame and Disgrace upon my life.
God bless you Woman of God, keep you and make his face shine upon you.
Tracy E. A
Hi Tracy, you are loved and favored by God! I’m sorry to hear about the work situation and praying for you now
BLESSED WOMAN OF THE MOST HIGH GOD YOU REALLY GOD SEND YOU ALWAYS PROPHESIE TO MY LIFE LIKE NOW I’M GOING THROUGH FROM CHALLENGES TO CHALLENGES THE TIME WHEN THINKING ITS OVER IT BECOMES WORSE BUT I NEED TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING GOD ALMIGHTY JEHOVAH TO USE YOU IN TO OUR LIVES TO HOLD ON PUT ACTION PUSH EVEN IF IT GETS TOUGH GOD OUR FATHER IS WITH US HE PROMISED NEVER TO LEAVE NO FOR SAKE US N HIS PROMISES ARE FOR EVER TRUE N AMEN WE THANK YOU FOR LETTING US THAT IT IS GOD’S DIVINE APPOINTMENT HE TURNS OUR DELAY IN TO HARVEST WE BLESSED YOU MAY GOD ALMIGHTY CONTINUES TO ANOINT YOU TILL IT OVERFLOWS TO US FATHER GOD WE THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE GRACE FAVOR N PEACE THAT SURPASSES OUR HUMAN UNDERSTANDING TO GO BE THE GLORY THE SON N THE HOLY SPIRIT
Glory and honour be to God. I receive that Divine appointment with joy because my life at the moment is in a quandary, but I know that with God nothing is impossible and these desert experiences will come to pass. I believe that the Resurrection power which raised Christ from the dead shall open all the dead areas in my life in Jesus mighty name. So shall it be. Amen and Amen
yes amen to that Dr Lixon
God bless you Kent
I learnt many years ago, “A delay is not a denial.”
that is so true John, it’s such an encouragement
Ya~y, I was waiting for this, thank you Jesus, I received this Word Amen !!! Thanks & bless you, Helen.
Hi Nel, I say “amen” with you!
Thank you so much ma for these word of comfort and affirmation of my expectations.. The good Lord bless you and flourish your ministry ma.
Where I desire to walk with the Holy Spirt requires a bond of love beyond what I could imagine. But I did ask. And the scripture came.. into the finers fire. Where the hot breath of the furnace oxidizes the Lead from the silver. Each successive firing attaining greater purity.
Can you pray for those who’s sin you abhor? Does your hate arise toward those trapped in the father of lies web, or the father of lies?
And when the Holy Spirit had me close enough I heard the father say..”you do not love them as I love them” …
An I my heart began to burn for Christs victory, the salvation of the very lost. I have seen the depth of the wounds of the Lord and now understand price paid by His sacrifice for ALL. Come walk with the Spirit into the depth of God’s love. For many such as Saul have a calling. Dearest sister in the Lord, you have opened a doorway to carry the kingdom into the land.