Don’t Go Quietly

35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Acts 16:35-40

For this week of daily devotions, I am using the daily New Testament readings from Vanderbilt Divinity Library for June 2-6, 2025. Rev Beth referred me to this resource.

In today’s reading, Paul and Silas are in Philippi and being asked to leave town quietly after
A. Sharing the Gospel and baptizing many new believers
B. Exorcizing a spirit out of a fortune-telling slave girl and ruining the business for her handlers
C. Being beaten by a mob and thrown in jail by the local magistrate
D. Saving the life of the head jailer and facilitating the conversion of his family after a God-moment jailbreak.

But Paul does not leave town quietly. He uses the moment to witness and ensure the local people know the real power of our God. Each of us has the opportunity to witness when God has blessed us. Keeping God’s blessings to ourselves is a lost opportunity to share the Gospel with others.

YBIC,
Jimmy Ivie