Paul Cast Out Spirit of Divination and Released from Prison

Bible Passage: Acts 16:16-18, 25-26

Once there was a teacher who asked her students what the seven wonders of the world were. ‘The great wall of China!’ one replied. ‘The Taj Mahal!’ another quipped. ‘The hanging gardens of Babylon! The Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge, the Colosseum …’ One by one the students rattled of what they had read about or heard. Then, a little hand at the back of the classroom rose up and gave a little wave. ‘Yes, Clara?’ the teacher asked. Clara looked around at the expectant faces of her classmates who had by now turned to look in her direction. Suddenly she became unsure of her answer which seemed so clear to her just a moment ago… ‘Clara? Would you like to share with us on any of the seven wonders of the world?’ the teacher prompted gently. Clara finally found the courage to speak up, ‘Ms Lim, the first wonder of the world is our sense of sight. God made eyes for us so we can see the colourful flowers, our mummy and daddy and the blue sea.’ The teacher stopped and listened more carefully. All her little friends opened their eyes wider and listened more attentively. Clara continued, ‘The second wonder of the world is our sense of hearing, for God made our ears so we can listen to the birds chirping and the waves swishing against the shore. The third is our sense of smell so we know mummy prepared toast and nutella for us in the mornings. The fourth, our touch, so we don’t feel sad anymore when daddy gives us a hug and says no one will bully us as long as he is around. The fifth, our sense of taste – for ice-creams, lemonades and yummy pancakes.’

Like Clara, if we are sensitive to the little miracles God performs in our lives, it is not difficult to realize that there are actually many things to treasure and give thanks for. God made us and has His plans for us, and these plans can be fulfilled if only we are willing to be used as vessels of honour for God.

In today’s reading, God protected and guided (Acts 16:10) Paul and Silas as they continued with their mission of preaching God’s word. Grace upon grace, He lead them along the good times and the bad times. The miracles recorded in today’s reading are nothing short of amazing. When Paul preached to the seller of purple cloth Lydia, it was truly a miracle when the Lord “opened her heart to heed the things spoken” (Acts 16:14). In today’s context, this seller could be a successful businesswoman who plans her own finances and charts her own future. Would she have time for God? Would she be willing to step into church to listen to God’s words? We read that after God opened her heart, not just Lydia, but her entire household was baptised! She must have preached God’s salvation to her entire household. God may work through us to save our non-believing family members. Are we willing to listen to Him?

When Paul recognised and cast out the evil spirit in a certain slave girl, her masters, who profited from her fortune-telling abilities took action, instigated the crowd, spat out untruths and landed Paul and Silas in prison. The miracle which Paul performed, that of casting out the evil spirit in a slave girl, landed Silas and himself in prison. Not only did Paul and Silas not protest against God’s ‘unfairness’, (thoughts we would most likely have entertained if put in a similar situation and wrongly accused), they prayed and sang hymns to God in prison! I like very much the latter portion of verse 25, ‘and the prisoners were listening to them’. I think that this is another beautiful miracle of God; that the prisoners would actually listen to Paul and Silas’ prayers and singing! Paul and Silas had not committed any crime, yet were thrown into prison. The other prisoners probably knew about their innocence, for any ‘newcomer’ in prison would have been interrogated by their fellow inmates. Living up to their discipleship and being vessels of honour for God, Paul and Silas chose to praise and honour God instead of complaining and giving up, even in the face of such a dire turn of events. This must have aroused the curiosity of their fellow prisoners.

Who would have dreamt that an earthquake would soon follow, and all the prisoners were freed of their chains? Then a miracle happened. None of the prisoners budged, and Paul convinced the jailer who presumed that the prisoners have escaped, not to commit suicide. As a result of this incident, the jailer believed the words of Paul and he and all his family were baptised (Acts 16:32).

God saves souls through miracles and through His disciples (like Paul and Silas) who honoured God even in their sufferings. Today, no matter what our present circumstances, do we give thanks? Will we choose to honour God and let Him lead?