Day 8: Scattered but Not Silent
SENT: 21-DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING
Scattered but Not Silent
Written By: Phillip Dick
And Saul approved of their killing him.
The Church Persecuted and Scattered
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:1-8
The Church Persecuted and Scattered
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:1-8
If the early church had a WhatsApp group, Acts 8 would have blown it up:
“BREAKING NEWS: Massive persecution. Everyone scattered. Philip ends up in Samaria. Revival breaks out.”
What looked like chaos was actually a Kingdom strategy. The believers were scattered, but they were not silent. They did not simply run away from persecution; they were pushed into their next assignment by the very pressure that came against them. God turned scattering into sending.
Sometimes we treat inconveniences like a spiritual Wi Fi dropout. One disruption and we assume God has left the chat. But Acts 8 reminds us that scattering is not the end of the mission. It may be the beginning of new ground. The gospel travelled faster under pressure than it ever did in comfort.
Philip did not plan for Samaria, but Samaria was waiting for Philip. And wherever God has scattered you, whether your workplace, family conflict, financial challenge, or unexpected detour, there may be a Samaria moment waiting on the other side of your obedience.
Multiplication is not only about leadership. It is also about willingness. God expands the church through ordinary believers who show up with faith even in uncomfortable places. Pressure can either silence us or position us for purpose. The believers in Acts chose the latter.
“BREAKING NEWS: Massive persecution. Everyone scattered. Philip ends up in Samaria. Revival breaks out.”
What looked like chaos was actually a Kingdom strategy. The believers were scattered, but they were not silent. They did not simply run away from persecution; they were pushed into their next assignment by the very pressure that came against them. God turned scattering into sending.
Sometimes we treat inconveniences like a spiritual Wi Fi dropout. One disruption and we assume God has left the chat. But Acts 8 reminds us that scattering is not the end of the mission. It may be the beginning of new ground. The gospel travelled faster under pressure than it ever did in comfort.
Philip did not plan for Samaria, but Samaria was waiting for Philip. And wherever God has scattered you, whether your workplace, family conflict, financial challenge, or unexpected detour, there may be a Samaria moment waiting on the other side of your obedience.
Multiplication is not only about leadership. It is also about willingness. God expands the church through ordinary believers who show up with faith even in uncomfortable places. Pressure can either silence us or position us for purpose. The believers in Acts chose the latter.
Reflect
Where might God be strategically redeploying you right now?
What pressure, inconvenience, or unexpected situation might become a platform?
What would it look like to be faithful and audible in the very place you did not choose?
What pressure, inconvenience, or unexpected situation might become a platform?
What would it look like to be faithful and audible in the very place you did not choose?
Prayer
Lord, when life scatters me, keep my voice steady. Turn my disruptions into divine appointments. Give me the courage of Philip to speak, serve, and shine wherever You send me, especially in the places I did not choose. Expand Your church through my obedience and faith, even in uncomfortable moments. Amen.
Posted in SENT: 21-Days of Prayer and Fasting