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Scripture
Our verse for today is from Acts 17:11, ” Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. “
Background & Application
When i was young, my dad would occasionally take my brothers and me on overnight trips to the beach. And though we would spend most nights sleeping in the car (it was a different era back then), on the rare occasion when my mom came along, we would usually get to stay in a hotel. And those days, most hotels (or should i say motels?) had a neon sign out front that would light up saying VACANCY or NO VACANCY. I can remember staring out the window of the car, hunting for a VACANCY sign as we drove down the road. We needed a hotel that had room for us, that was open for our business. Likewise, our hearts need to be open to the Word of God. There needs to be room for the Scripture to direct our paths. Now most of us would say without hesitation that we accept God’s Word and follow what it teaches. But is that really the case? Are we open to being doers of the Word, and not hearers only? And I’m talking about the living and powerful Word of God, the Word which is sharper than any two-edged sword. The Word that is so poignant and applicable that it can divide the soul and spirit, the joints and the marrow. It can discern your most hidden thoughts and reveal the intents of your heart. That is the Word that I’m talking about, the Word that we need to be open to.
But what are we open to instead? What has free reign in our hearts? Is it perhaps the hypocrisy, envy, or evil speaking that Peter says will prevent us from desiring the pure milk of the Word? Is it books, magazines, television, or some other time-filler that keeps us from meditating in His Word day and night, like God warned Joshua to do? Is there a vacancy for the worship of God, like Lydia had in Acts, so that the Lord opened her heart to heed Paul’s preaching? Are we overflowing with me-ness instead of meekness like James urges, preventing the implanted Word from doing its work? If so, open your heart, receive the Word eagerly, and examine the Scriptures. They will save your soul.
Charge
As we seek Him today, read God’s Word, fill your heart with what God has for you.
