Saturday, January 10, 2026
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Acts 16-17
- Secondary Reading: Psalms 5
Key Verse
Acts 16:38 — “And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.”
Devotional Thought
What does this passage ask of you today? It asks you to trust that God is at work even when the path ahead seems blocked or confusing. Consider Paul and his companions as they traveled through Derbe and Lystra, where they met young Timothy, a disciple well spoken of by the brethren. Paul wanted Timothy to join the work, so he circumcised him because of the Jews in those regions. Then, as they went through the cities delivering the decrees from Jerusalem, the churches were established in the faith and increased in number daily. But notice what happened next: they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach in Asia, and when they tried to go into Bithynia, the Spirit suffered them not. Instead, they passed by Mysia and came down to Troas. There, Paul received a vision of a man of Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” They immediately endeavored to go, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called them to preach the gospel there. God’s closed doors were not denials but directions. He was guiding them to Philippi, where Lydia’s heart would be opened, where a jailer would ask, “What must I do to be saved?” and where a church would be planted through suffering and song.
In this winter season, when the days are short and the way forward may feel uncertain, remember that God still directs His servants. You may have plans that seem good—ministries to start, people to reach, places to go—yet find yourself hindered. The Spirit’s “no” is often His “not here, not yet, but there.” Paul and Silas did not sulk in Troas; they listened. When the Macedonian call came, they went. And in Philippi, they faced opposition: a damsel with a spirit of divination followed them, crying that they were servants of the most high God. Paul, grieved, cast out the spirit, and her masters, seeing their hope of gain gone, dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates. They were beaten and imprisoned, their feet made fast in the stocks. Yet at midnight, they prayed and sang praises to God, and the prisoners heard them. Suddenly an earthquake shook the foundations, opening the doors and loosing every one’s bands. The jailer, awakening and seeing the doors open, would have killed himself, but Paul cried, “Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” Trembling, the jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
That same gospel message echoes through Thessalonica, where Paul reasoned out of the scriptures for three sabbath days, opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again. Some believed, but others, moved with envy, set the city in an uproar, crying that these men had turned the world upside down. Yet the brethren sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, where the people were more noble, receiving the word with all readiness of mind and searching the scriptures daily to see whether those things were so. Many believed, including honourable women and men. But trouble followed, and Paul was brought to Athens, where his spirit was stirred within him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. There he disputed in the synagogue and in the market daily, encountering Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who called him a babbler and a setter forth of strange gods. They brought him to Mars’ hill, asking about this new doctrine. Paul stood and declared the unknown God, the Creator who made all nations of one blood, who is not far from every one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being. He commanded all men everywhere to repent, because God has appointed a day to judge the world in righteousness by Jesus, whom He raised from the dead. Some mocked, but others clave unto him and believed.
Psalm 5 complements this: David cries to the Lord in the morning, directing his prayer and looking up. He trusts that God will lead him in righteousness because of his enemies, making his way straight. He rejoices that all who put their trust in God will be joyful, for the Lord will bless the righteous and compass him with favour as with a shield. Like Paul, you may face closed doors, opposition, and uncertain paths, but you can pray with confidence, knowing God hears and directs. He may not reveal the whole map, but He gives enough light for the next step. Trust Him in the waiting, sing in the midnight hour, and speak His truth with boldness, for He is not far from any of us.
Reflection
- When have you experienced a closed door or a hindrance that later proved to be God’s redirection toward a greater purpose?
- Are you willing to search the scriptures daily, like the Bereans, to verify what you hear and to let God’s word shape your steps?
Prayer
O Lord, our King and our God, we come to You in the morning, directing our prayers and looking up, for You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, but You lead the righteous in straight paths. Thank You for the example of Paul and Silas, who trusted Your Spirit’s leading even when forbidden to preach in Asia, and who sang praises in prison at midnight. Open our hearts like Lydia’s, that we may attend to Your word. Give us courage to speak boldly like Paul at Mars’ hill, and readiness of mind like the Bereans to search the scriptures daily. When we face opposition, help us to rejoice, knowing You defend us and compass us with favour as with a shield. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalm Verse
Psalms 5:1 — “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.”