Scripture: Acts 16v 6 - 40.
Whenever you are in serious and effective ministry for
the Lord Jesus it will not be long before strong spiritual opposition confronts
you. In this Acts 16 it started with Paul asking the Lord if he should take to
gospel into Asia. The Holy Spirit refused them permission.
Then Paul had a vision calling him to preach in
Macedonia. The Lord had prepared a place where there was a great need. The Lord
also prepared a place for the apostles to stay.
Then they were met by the woman who was possessed by a
psychic demon, or spirit of divination, and her pronouncements concerning the
ministry actually undermined it. It does not recommend a ministry if the enemy
is cheering it on!
Paul prayed deeply for many months to bind the spirit of
divination or fortune telling in this woman. It had a very strong hold on
her. One day Jesus said NOW! The
stronghold was broken and the spirit departed as soon Paul rebuked it. She lost her powers immediately and those who
used her to earn money were furious. The attack escalated when Paul and
Silas were thrown in prison by them. In the deepest dungeon they praised God
with Psalms and hymns, and He caused an earthquake to conveniently open the
prison doors, releasing every prisoner.
This caused the jailor and his family to be saved and
baptized at midnight. By this time the whole city knew about Jesus! The woman
was set free and God was glorified. Paul and Silas were brought before the
magistrate who told them to leave that city. When they left the name of Jesus
Christ was widely known.
The Holy Spirit had led them to a place which was
prepared so that God's power and authority through the name of Jesus Christ
could be displayed through His care for the wellbeing of the apostles; His
desire to set the possessed woman free; His power over nature - sending an
earthquake; His desire to save the soul of the jailor and his family.
All these Godly acts left a strong impression on this
city and all Paul's teachings would be remembered and a strong ministry
established in the city.
When the Lord wants to start something He directs every
stage of the operation. All we need do is follow Him and do what He tells us.
When we try to add our clever schemes to His divine plan, that's when problems
arise and when our plans flop we blame God for not blessing it. God only
blesses what He initiates according to His own perfect will.
Prayer: Heavenly Father how wondrous You are. There are
many like this woman who need spiritual help and prayer. Teach us to pray like
Paul did to reach the lost, the bound, the addicted and the broken people. In
Jesus' name. Amen.