Breathing In

Acts 16:12-15

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

My, is it not funny how God works. Indeed, you can talk about his mysterious ways all day long. But how many of you have seen it. The city of Philippi was one of several ports being a couple of things all at once. See, it was the chief city of the region as well as a Roman colony. When I say colony, I mean sort of like a beehive and with the same effect. This city was named for the conquering Roman leader of that day who colonized it, Phillip. Of all things, he was a man who was awfully fond of his name. The city Phillipi bore it along with the little gold coins mined from the area. The name also means one who loves horses. Whether or not this ruler has any outside interests, we see much of his character clearly. Such a love, possession, and ownership might seem strange to some of us today. But then it was no different than the Lord extending his arms over the people saying, 'today you are mine.' Here we see the heart of God on display for the people. Like this ruler of old, he would not leave his apostles in a pinch. Nor would they be rejected and desolate for long.

They might be seeking rest now but finding none. Yet I have little doubt that here the Lord repaid them richly for all they had suffered. If not, then it would be but a small taste of all that was to come. My, the text sure says an awful lot about what sort of people occupied it. But then as Paul will soon say, how great a God he is. Paul opens 2 Corinthians 3:7-16 with the ministry of death. Here, he is referring to the law of Moses for which his face shone so. I imagine if that was wonderful, how much more will be the glory coming. For the present indeed speaks of the Spirit's ministry within us for life, peace, and all Godliness. Herein is seen the life hidden above in what was fulfilled and so done away. Truly he made even that to work out for their grace and for his glory. How great is a God who can use all of man's sin, mess, and distress unto their benefit. Indeed, Paul cries 'glory' for so it will follow until all our bad days have ended. In the light of his good will to follow, we see this clearly. We, like Paul's speech, might understand it now or later. So might we see now thusly or in God's good time to come.

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

Remember how Moses' face would shine after meeting with God; this was a mere reflection of the glory of the One who sent him. But he covered it with the veil because the people's eyes were blinded to the truth. For this reason, they read the Scriptures and understood them not. It was done so the people could not earnestly look unto the end of their faith. For to look ahead is to hope. Yet we always ought to look forward at those things to come. Here we see that in turning will their veil be lifted as an unwed woman given in marriage to another. Such a way is not burdensome; rather there is life and freedom to be found in him. He speaks of a spiritual union with God. His Spirit revelates to us the things of himself. Now have we open faces in the mirror of his Word, seeing with our hearts. So are we changed into his image and likeness, even one full of grace and glory. Here the apostles made tracks for the riverside where the faithful women met.

Not only were the women always in the place of God but prayer was also made a habit. I know just the sort of person to which this place would appeal. Remember Daniel of Daniel 10:2-4 when he laid beside the river fasting and in prayer. Then he met the Lord and had such a moving experience there. It seems that the sabbath is a good time indeed to talk about it all. Both Moses, Daniel, and these women with a resorting prayer habit have something in common. Before you get all vulgar minded again, simply understand this. Each one had an appointed place for the things they faced to be taken away. Indeed, God came to bring liberty so they too like Paul might also shout glory. Their sorrows, their sufferings, their tribulations, their hungers, and their thirsts were about to meet their expiration date. God is in these women's midst, spreading his arms over the situation. It is time to see what he will bring about. The end of such things is already at hand. God is bringing a beginning from their ending. Well too might you and I need a Word today as Paul spoke.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Now the region of Thyatira may not be particularly important to you. But see, this is one of seven regional churches in Revelation 2:18-29 that endured until the end. So also, purple is associated with riches, royalty, and survivors like Prince. Lydia the purple-seller of Thyatira tells us this. God knows your name, where you come from, what you are doing, and where you are going. Nothing is hidden from his sight. For indeed all his creations are alike in his eyes. It matters not to him if you be a woman from a strange land who had to hustle to survive or a big rich guy like Philip who gave the city his blessing. I can hear some now saying, 'but….' God is not like you. See, when Paul preached Jesus to her, everything changed. Note that her situation did not magically disappear overnight. Rather she had her own house, and the Lord was with her. Maybe that is what troubles some of you preachers today. If you would just preach Jesus not the seminary, your theology professors, or your doctrinal statement. Just lead me to Jesus. So did Paul. It mattered not to him if he preached in this life, that place, or the ones yet to come. See, people may change. But when you preach Jesus, he will never. Sometimes the story is told of an uneducated preacher who had never been to school. He knew not even how to read. But these three things he knew: God, the Spirit, and prayer. Believe it or not, God taught that man more of himself than many educated men of his day. So, we see it was the Lord which opened Lydia's heart. More than that, she showed a great deal of diligence towards the things of the Lord. See, it matters not if you have a crush on the preacher or his house. What matters is that you mind the Lord.

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

As we see here, that is exactly what she did. She invited Jesus in. Nor did he come alone. As we see her faith was more powerful than any virus; the text says it spread even to her whole house. She got saved, healed, and delivered. Her whole family also met her Jesus. My, some of you cannot seem to even get your own family to do right. Yet here this woman's faith has affected everything. The text says not what shape her house was in before it met the Lord. But this I know that nothing would ever be the same again. But how many of you know that when the Lord is for you, no one can stop you. Here we see she attended to the things spoken of Paul, she besought him, and she constrained him. More than that, she invited Paul in to abide. I do not know about you, but if a man with a dubious sense of humor and a curious late-night habit knocked on my door, I certainly would not be letting him in. Beyond being a concerned woman of faith, she is very like a smitten kitten. The word constrain holds the same meaning as the phrase "the love of Christ constrains us."

Whether this lady of faith held the apostles, supported them, or sustained them is nobody's business but the Lord's. Yet I appreciate Paul taking the time to share what great miracles had come for all. We at least can conclude that Lydia made them stay with her. In her faith, she held them there awhile at least. I know that others would prefer certain activities occur such as holy kissing. Yet one thing we do know; the apostle Paul never again complained of wanting a wife. Nor does he protest his new-found situation overly much as was his wont. So, she believed not merely for material gains or worldly possessions. Rather it was for saving of her soul and the life hereafter. But how many know that God pays his workers very well. You might need a house, but it will not be that way for long. You might need someone, but it will not be like that much longer. Jesus has come to your town. God is in the house. So personally, does he know you that he will not allow the disorder plaguing you any longer. Look how God treat his servants. Now it is good indeed to be found upon the gospel road with him.