Daily Devotional

-July 16, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-Readiness To Receive And Study The Word Of God For Ourselves-

“These were more fair-minded than those in in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the prominent women as well as men.”

(Acts 17:11-12).

Paul and Silas had to leave from Thessalonica due to persecution that arose there. It was a constant pattern through Paul’s ministry: the Jews who opposed Paul would stir up the people against him and his companions to hinder the work of God. In spite of the persecution many souls were saved there.

When Paul and Silas arrived in Berea, they found a better reception. The there. The Jews there had a strong desire to search the Scriptures for themselves, which they did daily to see if what Paul was saying was true. This led to many men and women getting saved. Unfortunately, those trouble making Jews came over from Thessalonica and stirred up the crowds also in Berea.

The attitude and actions of the Bereans was very impressive. It should inspire every believer to love the Word and be in it daily to learn it and apply in one’s life. It it not enough to merely attend church on Sunday and hear the pastor or others speak. The Bible and Bible study is for every believer, old and young, men and women, along with the children and young people.

• They were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica – To be fair-minded is to be noble-minded, or as we may say today, “open-minded.” They had a strong desire to read, study, understand, and know the Scriptures. As believers today we need an open heart and an open Bible. We have so much to learn.

• They received the word with all readiness – They had an eagerness and strong desire about them. They wanted to know it for themselves. It reminds me of the Samaritans to whom the woman at the well shared with. She gave her personal testimony of Jesus and what He told her and did for her. John 4:42 says, “Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him, for we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’”

• They searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so – They did their research, not with a spirit of doubt or skepticism, but of faith and desire. In John 6:39, Jesus told the Jews, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are those who testify of Me.” In every word of every chapter of every book of the Bible, we something of Christ. The OT pointed forward to Him, and the NT fulfilled everything about Him and for the future into eternity.

May the Lord help us to desire and love the Word, wanting to read and study it, know it, understand it, obey it, and apply it to our lives. When we do, we can say with the Queen of Sheba who saw and heard Solomon for herself, “Then she said to the king: ‘It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard’” (1 Kings 10:6-7).

Have a blessed day searching the Scriptures for all the wonderful treasures. Read and study the Bible for yourself and you will say, “The half has not been told me.” Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean