MONDAY, APRIL 4
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Acts 16:13-14 (ESV)
THE MIRACLE OF LYDIA: AN OPEN MIND
A small group was held weekly. It would be held in a different member’s home and the host would provide snacks and the opening prayer. One young lady always provided the best food and had the cleanest home. But she could never say the prayer; she was terrified at the thought of praying in front of people. Finally, after years of trying, she told the pastor one night, “Tonight’s the night, I’m going to pray.” Everyone stood, bowed their heads and waited. She was visibly shaking with tears in her eyes. She quietly prayed: “Lord, Help! A-men.” (John Browning)
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas come across what amounts to a women’s small group Bible study. They meet a woman named Lydia who the Bible calls a “God-fearing woman.” Lydia believes in God but she is not yet saved. According to Pastor Matt Chandler “God-fearing” means she has rejected paganism. She’s worshiping the Father. Lydia has come to believe that there is one God. She listens to the teaching of the Jews, trying to grasp what it means to live a God-fearing life; she wants to live out her faith in the context of her family and her business. She has gathered with a group of women to hear the Scriptures explained. She likely has some concept of the need for salvation. But without the good news of Jesus, she’s confused. It is into this setting that Paul shows up and Lydia listens to his teaching. And Lydia will eventually become the first Christian convert in Europe.
Reflection
Lydia’s faith in Jesus came the same way any of us come to faith in Jesus and that is by listening to God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” Are you allowing your faith to grow by regularly exposing yourself to God’s Word? Who do you know that may be ready to hear about Jesus?
Praise
Praise God for the promise of John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”
