This is what is remarkable about life after Pentecost, this is what is remarkable about the book of Acts: all events take place not simply by human understanding and decision, but because the Holy Spirit has revealed His will. We can only sigh over the fact that for some reason things do not work that way for us. But should we only sigh? Is it not worth looking more closely at why it worked for them?
First, it is written that they worshiped the Lord and fasted. This means that people were seeking God’s will, praying earnestly for it, even fasting so as to pray with greater earnestness. For God this was a sign that His word would be heard with full attention and not allowed to pass by their ears. Do we prepare in such a way for God to be able to say something important to us?
Second, it is said that no word of God is powerless (Luke 1:37). Therefore, if God sees, and He really does see, that we are not going to receive His word in obedience, He will not give it to us. Why cast pearls before swine? The next verse (Acts 13:3) shows that in this case people hastened to fulfill God’s will. If only we were like that too!
