Acts 16. Do you remember how God led the Israelites through the desert with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22)? In Acts 16 we see God leading Paul and the apostles in a powerful manner as they embark on their second missionary journey through the region. Let’s look at the way God is at work in this chapter:

God gives Paul a partner in ministry (16:1-5). Timothy is well-spoken of by Christians in several cities, and he comes from a mixed racial heritage which is helpful to the ministry.

God gives Paul wisdom about tricky social issues (16:2). Yesterday we learned that gentiles did not need to be circumcised (Acts 15) and now Paul has Timothy circumcised. What’s up with that? Paul asks Timothy to do this – not because he must – but because it helps Timothy’s ministry in Jewish churches. Sometimes we choose a more restrictive way of life (denying ourselves) because it reduces stumbling blocks to the gospel.

God speaks clearly to Paul, giving him instructions and clear direction (16:6-10). Sometimes I wish God’s instructions were as clear as google maps – and in this case they were for Paul! The Holy Spirit said no to their Asia trip and a couple of other stops. Instead, God sent Paul a vision of a man from Macedonia calling to him and he concluded that God had called him to preach the gospel to them. So, they reprogram their map and set sail in a new direction. Clarity is such a gift!

God sets up divine appointments (16:13-15). God has been doing this throughout Acts; remember Philip and the Ethiopian (8:26+)? Paul guesses correctly that there is a place of prayer by the riverside in the city of Philippi and they share the gospel with women there. (Anyone up for doing laundry and prayer time?) The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. She was ready to hear the gospel, received it, and was baptized along with her entire household. God also provided lodging and a base of operations for the group, as Lydia opened her home to them.

God gives discernment and deliverance power to Paul (16:16-18). They are plagued by a slave girl with an evil spirit who kept shouting “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation!” (Oh, the irony – the demons are proclaiming the gospel! They know the truth.) Paul is greatly annoyed after several days of this and casts the demon out, which causes big trouble with the slave girl’s owners.

God gives joy despite circumstances (16:25). Thrown into jail for having set the slave girl free and ruining a local business, the apostles are praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them. Joy and singing are not normal responses to being thrown in jail, so God is clearly filling their hearts with peace despite difficult events.

God does a miracle (16:26+) by sending an earthquake, opening the prison doors, and unfastening everyone’s shackles. Then God does a second miracle by keeping the jailer from committing suicide and the gospel is preached. “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household” (16:31). The jailer and his whole household join the family of God.

How do you need God to work in your life – a partner, wisdom, direction, divine appointments, practical provisions, discernment, deliverance, joy, miracles, freedom, salvation? Ask him, He is still at work today!

What stood out to you in Acts 16?