Divine Appointments
Have you ever had something happen that felt too perfectly timed to be coincidence?
Maybe you ran into someone who needed encouragement, or your plans changed in a way that unexpectedly blessed someone else. Those moments often aren’t random—they’re divine appointments.
Throughout the Bible, we see countless examples of these moments when God arranges for one person’s path to cross another’s for His purpose. Scripture tells us, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23, NKJV). God arranges and establishes the details of His children’s lives, including those seemingly unexpected encounters that lead to something extraordinary.
After decades of walking with God, I can tell you—seeing Him set up such appointments is one of life’s greatest thrills.
Biblical Background
Sometimes delays, detours, or disruptions we think of as inconveniences are actually divine setups. Maybe that canceled plan, that change in schedule, or that unexpected meeting is God’s way of placing you exactly where you need to be.
Paul’s journey to Philippi in Acts 16 is one such story. He had a vision—“Come over to Macedonia and help us”—and he obeyed. That obedience led him not to comfort, but to a prison cell. Yet even that moment of confinement became a stage for God’s purpose, as Paul led the jailer and his family to salvation.
The Bible is full of these encounters. Consider Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26–39). God led Philip from the crowds to a single soul in the desert. “Then Philip opened his mouth… and preached Jesus to him.” That man’s heart was ready, and he was baptized on the spot.
Jesus died for the world, but He also died for the one. Divine appointments remind us to stay sensitive to His leading—ready to serve, speak, and love where He sends us.
Set Yourself Up
God has a divine purpose for every believer. When we allow Him to work through us, divine appointments happen. Sometimes, we wait for a “special word” from God, not realizing that by simply living out our day-to-day faith, we are already part of His plan.
Whether it’s a lifelong friend or a stranger in passing, every interaction may be a moment of eternal significance. Here are three ways to position yourself for divine appointments:
1. Pray for Them
Ask the Holy Spirit to arrange divine appointments for you each day. Cornelius and Peter’s story in Acts 10 is a perfect example—two men praying separately, yet God wove their lives together for His greater purpose.
2. Look for and Expect Them
Be ready to recognize opportunities when they come. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us to “always be prepared to give an answer… for the hope that you have.” Our mission isn’t to win the entire world, but to faithfully reach our world—our circle of influence.
3. Act When the Moment Comes
When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), He seized the opportunity to minister. That one encounter transformed an entire village. Like Jesus, we should be ready to act when God brings someone across our path.
Divine appointments often look ordinary at first—but they carry eternal significance.
An Appointment for Hope
Divine appointments are evidence of how deeply God cares for people. He uses ordinary believers to bring hope, comfort, and salvation to others.
Maybe your very presence today is part of one of those divine moments. Be open. Be expectant. Let God use you in ways you never imagined.
Because the next person you meet might just be part of His divine plan—for both of you.