Acts 16:17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”

Everything about this story is interesting, and worthy of meditation! I have always found it very interesting that this woman was giving Paul and crew free, accurate publicity, but the way she was doing it was so irritating that Paul finally couldn’t take it anymore. I really wonder what other symptoms of demonic possession she displayed, that her owners immediately recognized that she had been delivered. We don’t have any record of what happened to her after this, but I would imagine she became a firm believer! Her shouting under the influence of the demon was probably widely reported, influencing the words of the jailer, reported in verse 30. I have a feeling that the earthquake, on top of what she had been shouting, scared the behoozis out of the magistrates who had ordered Paul and Silas to be beaten and jailed, so Paul requiring them to come and apologize personally was icing on the cake. The total events certainly proved that Paul and Silas were definitely “servants of the Most High God!” I’m sure Paul and Silas would not have chosen for things to go as they did, but I’m equally sure that they rejoiced at the final outcome, and were at peace with their part in it, as physically painful as it was. We don’t know how God is going to use what He allows us to experience. I don’t think God wanted Paul and Silas to be beaten and jailed, but He certainly used it for good. We need to trust God to “work everything together for good” (Romans 8:28) in our lives, to the point that we indeed thank Him for everything, (Ephesians 5:29) so that He will be free to use us for His kingdom and His glory.

This is something the Lord has been teaching me over the years, but I still need refreshers on it. Yesterday was a very good day in several respects, but for reasons I don’t understand, I was depressed by bedtime. I have essentially no idea why. It may have been to keep me from getting high over all the good things that had happened! I need to stay grounded in Him, resting, relaxing, and rejoicing in Him just as He has told me to do, and not be swayed by circumstances. He has made it clear that He is in control and that His plans are good, and I need to trust Him totally in that, not trying to dictate the form that things are going to take along the way. I’ve known that in theory for a long time, but I obviously need further training in living it out! However, God is graciously patient with me, so I need to be patient with myself, because He is indeed “able to keep me from stumbling and present me blameless before His presence with great joy.” (Jude 1:24)

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for all that You are doing. Thank You for Your plans for today. Help me flow with Your Spirit on Your schedule throughout today, being neither hesitant nor impatient, so that Your will may be done for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!