Confidant of the King

"The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. "

I remember reading one of AW Tozer's books which contained this quote, and i've thought of it many times since It simply says, "God tells the man who prays." His point was that the kind of person that God will speak to and reveal His will to are the ones who care enough to actually seek Him. God wants to give special revelation of His will to men and women today, but maybe He is reserving those special insights to the ones who will simply put themselves in His presence where they could actually hear. Simple really...but, if we want to hear someones voice and be let in on their heart, we need to get close enough to listen.

That seems to be what's happening here with Cornelius and Peter. Both of them get a vision or special revelation from God regarding His will...and, it happens to be at the hours of prayer. Neither seem to be seeking that kind of thing...but, God had a plan and these two men (who happen to be men of prayer) put themselves in the place where they can hear from God and be participants. Cornelius is visited by an angel who tells him to send men to fetch Peter who will tell him what God wants him to do. Then Peter gets this vision from God preparing him to go to an "unclean" Gentiles house (Cornelius) to proclaim the Gospel. God had a surprising plan, a "Gentile Pentacost"...and these two men of prayer are hand picked by God to bring it! Maybe it's coincidence, but i don't think so. God seems to give special revelation to men and women of prayer. The Word and church history reveal this to be true.

Do i desire to be used by God today? Do i desire to be "let in on" God's will today? Do i desire to be a part of Kingdom activity today? PRAY! Simply put myself in the presence of the King and He may give special revelation of His will to me today. I want to be the kind of man that God "lets in on" His will. I want to be a "confidant of the King". But, God may not give access to this kind of knowledge to casual acquaintances...I know i don't, do you?

Created over 2 years ago