The Pilgrim Path---Acts 16: 16—24

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by her fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

THEY THREW THEM INTO PRISON…

---The Spirit of God works---alas, the Spirit of the evil one works as well. This poor woman was demon possessed. Her enslavement gave her some abilities to discern aspects of the future…

---The sad reality of human depravity is that there is often someone willing to “profit” from the pain and enslavement of others. The woman with the spirit of divination had “Handlers” who possessed her---merely for the sake of making money!

---The Apostle Paul finally grew tired of her “special introduction” that she gave everywhere they went. Paul “introduced” everyone to the freeing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ---by casting the demonic influence from the woman!

---The “Handlers” of the woman had Paul and Silas dragged through the marketplace to the rulers. This is what you did with the most common criminals. Then, before the magistrates, the Handlers---charge Paul and Silas with sedition (insurrection against lawful authority). Wow!

---The “crowd” joins in the attack. The magistrates have the garments removed from Paul and Silas---so that they may be beaten with rods (a terrible---and awful form of punishment / most painful). Off to prison they are sent. Feet into the stocks (the design was such---holes for feet were very far apart). The LORD Jesus has “walked” before us on every path (HE walks with us too).

---The path of service for Jesus Christ the LORD is long and circuitous. At this juncture, it looks like all you get for following the Savior is: beaten down, berated, belittled, and just about buried like the off scouring of the earth. What is the LORD doing? Well as Charles Spurgeon used to say, “Error circles the earth---while Truth is getting its boots on.” The LORD is always working on behalf of His Own---and for the benefit of His Church. The best is yet to come!

From John Duncan: We are to grow in dependent insufficiency, and in the knowledge of him who makes sufficient.

From Thomas Brooks: Heavenly service may lay you open to the frowns of men, but its neglect will lay you open to the frowns of God. You will suffer more by neglect of the heavenly duties that God commands, commends, and rewards, than you ever will by doing them!

From Simon Kistemaker: Suffering for the sake of Christ comes in many forms: torment for those who suffer physically in times of persecution; affliction for patients who cope with illnesses, especially incurable diseases; and mental agony for those who silently suffer in a non-Christian environment at home, school, or place of employment. What should the Christian do when he faces suffering? He should keep his eye of faith fixed on Jesus, who suffered for his people as the just for the unjust and left them an example to follow (First Peter 2: 21).

HYMN

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I

My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;

So sinful, so weary, thine, thine would I be;

Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in thee.

Hiding in thee, hiding in thee---

Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in thee.

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,

I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe!

How often when trials like sea billows roll,

Have I hidden in thee, O thou Rock of my soul!

William O. Cushing, 1876

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason