Troubled Much
Acts 16:15-18
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Is it not funny how the devil often does. See, when he came to Eve in the garden she was enslaved because she deceived herself. The much knowledge she was promised turned into a trap and a snare. So, these things often do as in Genesis 3:1. Now this damsel of our text, which might not have known a man, was captured. It is important to note that both man and the devil held her hostage for usury. Nor does the text make it clear how long she was held this way. But she had no business being used either for money, fortune telling, a conduit for possession, distress, or knowing no man. This thing that happened to her kept her from fulfilling her divine purpose. Notice how she was also sent to attack someone else to keep them from fulfilling theirs. See the timing of the attack. The apostles were on their way to prayer. How many know the devil and his people love to strike right when you are in the middle of God's will. Often when you are being most used of him, they will come. It might seem very troublesome at the time. But I call this a ministry of inconvenience. See how God has gifted the apostles with it. The test was not to destroy them but rather to allow them to handle it. God trusted the apostles enough to open the Spirit door to bring them to the Roman provinces. Now see what they will do with such confidence entrusted in them. More than that, look how awesome God is. It is easy to get in such situations and take the glory for what happens like we did something wonderful. See here the magnitude of the situation and know only God could bring them all out. Not only would he do so but he would also make the situation right for all parties involved.
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Imagine if you will the apostles preaching Jesus to all who would listen. The apostles went in the highways, on the byways, at the markets, and near the street corners. Now here comes a certain young woman with a local reputation. You already know she did. It is not possible for anyone so used to escape from such. Just as the Lord pays his apostles a living wage so the devil collects fees and interest for services offered. Believe me, these things are higher than any of us wish to pay; so, they also keep us longer than we would like to stay. It was no secret to any that these men preached Jesus. But here this young woman chases after them daily announcing to all who would listen. It was no open secret, yet she accused them of hiding their purposes for being there. I know some of you realize that this was a most unnecessary spirit that possessed her. In it see her crying out as though for deliverance. You know, the demons of James 2:19 believe in him and tremble. They know that even the Lord will do unto them justly and not according to the ways of man. Having received a ministry of mercy according to the dispensation of 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, faint not.
For so we bear the hidden gospel to the lost. This is not handled by dishonest things, crafty walking, nor yet deceitful handling of the Word. Such are the things that hide the Word. Notice how these works are indeed against it. So, the preacher of the gospel might be knowing little due to their own issues in the house. Speaking of hiding, this is how I put his Word in my heart after the style of Psalm 119:11. Whether I am having a Dr. Jekyll or a Mr. Hyde sort of a day, I am still walking with Jesus. Now the unbelieving has blinded minds for a different cause. Yet the cure for both remains the same. If you sit in darkness, let God turn on the lights. Indeed, God is the light shining forth from the darkness into our hearts. Philippians 3:10 says it is so we might know him and the power of his resurrection. So, we are being transformed by the power of his life and death. Here is the truth manifest in God's sight. It is not to be found in sitting at the feet of Jesus, while all is well and wonderful. But you and I can find it traveling the Emaus Road with him together. Notice how there is no room in his presence for even the slightest darkness, foul spirit, nor unbelief.
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
She came after them many days declaring to the people and herself the ways of salvation. Now I could be nice and cute and focus on the profit, production, and the produce done by these evil men. But God only allows them a very small footnote in what is to come for a simple reason. Those were her past, not her future. When she met Jesus and his apostles, her life would be forever changed. Is it any wonder that Paul's spirit was grieved. You already know from the John and Mark situation that he would not stand for such usury. How much less would he stand to hear her call so on the name of the Lord. See, is it not a promise from him that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. It is written in Romans 10:13 be they human, angelic, fallen, or not. This spirit recognized the power of God. More than that it had a conscience for what should be tolerated and for what was too much to be borne by his human host. Remember the aims of the devil to steal, kill, and destroy. My, this spirit of divination seems to be missing a few things. It is a common temptation for people to mistake this fear of the Lord for affinity to man. This is why Paul only commanded the spirit to leave her in Jesus' name. For by this spirit and the men was she kept in bondage. Paul could take care of the spirit in her. God would take care of both. The spirit left due to the Lord. No longer would she be in bondage to any but Christ. But we know these burdens are easy and his hitching manner light. No matter what some might be going through, I just want to commend you to the grace of God.