Paul and his companions traveled to Philippi which was a Roman colony and leading city of the district of Macedonia. Reading in Acts 16:11-24, the Jewish population of Philippi must have been limited with only a handful of Jewish women who met for prayer down by the river bank. One woman named Lydia responded to Paul’s message by inviting the missionaries over to her home.
A slave girl who was a fortune teller began to follow Paul around causing damage to the ministry because Paul’s message was identified with her false message. Paul was annoyed and in Christ name commanded that the demonic spirit leave the woman. It left at once and the slave girl’s owners were furious because the fortune telling slave girl could no longer produce a lot of money for them.
Paul and Silas were then seized and dragged into the marketplace to face the authorities (v. 19). They were beaten with rods, severely flogged, and thrown into prison. While in prison one night, they were singing and praising God and God responded with an Earthquake that opened the doors to the prison to free them (v. 25-26).
Doing the will of God does not exclude trouble. Paul and Silas responded to their discouraging circumstances with prayer and praise. These are powerful weapons God can use as we advance the gospel even in troubling times. This day with You Lord, we also would like to develop an attitude that responds to our challenges with prayer and praise.
Father God, we have a fresh start with a new perspective today. Some of us are facing challenges this day but we have confidence that You will bless us. Hope will ease our current pain for future joy that will dissolve our sorrow. Your Love for us through Christ will wash away any disappointments from the past. Because of You, great challenges will become routine because with You, all things are possible. In Christ name we pray. Amen.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 