The Power in Knowing God and the Benefits of such Knowledge – Acts 16:16-40

A nation that knows its God will prosper. Knowledge has strength to the barer. It is however sad that Africans are not quick to read as such it has been declared that hiding knowledge from an African is easy by putting it down in writing. Yet the greatest enemy of all times, even in the house of God, is ignorance (Hosea 4:6).

The knowledgeable will walk differently from the ignorant. Ignorance on the knowledge of who God is can be seen even with active members in church. Some of the ignorant members do things the wrong way because they lack knowledge of who God is.

In the book of Acts 16:16-40, the Bible tells us that as Paul, Silus, Timothy and Luke were going for prayer, they met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination. When they got to Philippi in the town of Macedonia, it was revealed to Paul that there was need for the Word of God in the city. This was in conformance to that steps of a righteous man are ordered by God (Psalm 37:23). These brethren were known for their praying habit. Not only did they pray when there was a specific need, but they did so to maintain a healthy relationship with God. Thus it was easy for the revelation from the Spirit that there was a need for the Word to be shared in this city of Philippine.

This slave girl cried out saying the right thing about God and who these brethren were, ‘these man are servants of the most high God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation’ (Acts 16:17). If this slave girl were to say this to you or anyone of the believers today, chances are that we would go along with her sayings, accept her message and call others to listen to what she had to say. But the problem is that we would overlook the power behind the proclamation and assume it is the Spirit of God yet it is her divination powers in action.  Yes the devil can use non-believers to strategically proclaim the truth about Christianity but with the intention of misleading them.

Just as the Bible tells, owners of the slave girl earned a lot of money from this girl’s demon possession. These owners overlooked that the girl was abused by Satan but enjoyed the benefits. It is critical to note that Paul was spiritually moved to discern that the spirit that proclaimed the truth was not of God and therefore had to cast it out. The Power of God took over and the woman was set free and had no more power to perform her divinity duties. This act resulted in Paul and Silus dragged into the market place before the rulers because the slave girl owners knew that their hope for making money was no more. Paul and Silas were attacked and imprisoned.

Fortunately for Paul and Silus, they had clear knowledge of who their God is. They knew how to call and meet God. While in prison, they called their God is prayer and praise. True to their knowledge and understanding of who God is, God performed miracles for them. God comes close whenever His people call on Him. An earthquake shook the foundations of the prison and all the doors were open and everyone’s fetters were unfastened.

It is important for people around Christians to know that we are clear of who our God is and that there is nothing that can stop Him from helping us when we call to Him for help. This calls for us to know who our God is and the result of such knowledge. This example teaches us that whenever we praise God, the manifestation of His presence is provoked. Thus it won’t be necessary to go from church to church searching for the manifestation of God’s power. It will then be comforting to know that God answers our prayers at the right time and therefore imperative for us not to give up. Prosperity is assured and no man shall be able to close a door that God has opened for His own.

Therefore, if you know who your God is, you will be able to discern that which comes form Him and that which is not. It is important to put your trust in Him at all times and in every situation because He everything is under His control.

Revised: 29/8/2019