Luke the beloved physician shared how Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke himself went, “to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 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 spoke unto the women which resorted there. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us”, and in chapter sixteen and verse sixteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us” where we read:
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:
The verse begins, “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, ...” Luke began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred”, “as we went to prayer” or “during the time we, Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke departed to make orations, worship and earnest supplications”, “a certain damsel” which means “a particular young maid servant” “possessed with a spirit of divination” or “who was held, owned and kept fast by an evil power of influence and nature” “met us” which means “encountered us, Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke”. Luke shared how “Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke” went to “make orations and supplications to God” when a “young maid servant” who was possessed with an evil spirit encountered them.
The verse goes on to say, “... which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:” Luke continued with the words, “which brought her masters much gain” or “who afforded, supplied and caused her owners, sovereigns and possessors an abundant profit, craft and diligence” “by soothsaying” which means “through acting as a seer, prophetess or inspired diviner”. Luke shared how the “young maid servant” who was possessed with an “evil spirit” earned her owners abundant profits by “divining and foretelling” events.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke” went to “pray”, and while they were on their way, they encountered a “young girl” who was possessed with an “evil spirit”. This “young maiden” was given a special ability to tell the future, and with her enchantments she made her owners great profits. We shall see what she says and how “Paul” deals with her in our next verses, but for now let us be aware that God knows every person, and He is willing to “save” them from their sins. Even when a person is “possessed” with an “evil spirit”, they may be reached by the “saving grace” of Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness of God and eternal life await all who trust and believe in Him.
Next time Luke shares how the possessed damsel says, “These men are the servants of the most high God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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