What does "do not hesitate to go" teach about trusting God's timing? Where the Words Appear—Acts 10:20 “So get up! Go downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.” The Scene Behind the Command • Peter is praying on a rooftop in Joppa when God gives him a vision that overturns his lifelong food laws (Acts 10:9-16). • At that exact moment, messengers from the Gentile centurion Cornelius arrive at the gate (Acts 10:17-18). • The Spirit’s order—“do not hesitate to go”—bridges two divine preparations: Cornelius’s angelic visitation and Peter’s rooftop vision. Why ‘Do Not Hesitate’ Matters • Timing is divine, not random—God synchronized two households miles apart. • Obedience had to be immediate; a delay would have stalled the first major Gentile in-gathering. • The command removes human filters (prejudice, fear, uncertainty) so God’s agenda moves unimpeded. • “I have sent them” anchors Peter’s confidence in God’s sovereignty, not in visible circumstances. Trusting God’s Timing—Lessons From Peter 1. Prompt response honors God’s schedule. 2. God often gives clarity only for the next step, not the whole journey. 3. Hesitation can equal disobedience when the Spirit has spoken plainly. 4. Obedience today opens doors for greater revelation tomorrow (Acts 10:34-35). Reinforcing Scriptures • Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart…He will make your paths straight.” • Ecclesiastes 3:1—“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” • Psalm 27:14—“Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait for the LORD.” • Isaiah 55:8-9—God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours; His timing is woven into that truth. • John 2:4-5—Mary’s confidence in Jesus’ timing at Cana (“Do whatever He tells you”) mirrors Peter’s rooftop call. Practical Takeaways • Keep a listening posture—regular prayer positions us to hear a timely word. • When God’s direction aligns with Scripture, act without delay. • Refuse to let past traditions override present revelation rooted in the Word. • Expect God’s timing to bless others, not just you; Peter’s obedience unlocked salvation for Cornelius’s household (Acts 10:44-48). • Record instances when quick obedience led to clear fruit; those memories build faith for the next assignment. |
    |