Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

December 10– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“The Lord opened [Lydia’s] heart.”

—Acts 16:14

In this account of Lydia’s conversion, there are many points of interest. First, it was brought about by God-directed circumstances. She was a merchant from the city of Thyatira; but just at the right time she traveled to Philippi where she heard the Apostle Paul speaking in a Jewish place of prayer. God’s providence, his meticulous care by which he orchestrates all events to his purpose, is the handmaid of grace, and it led her to the right spot. Grace was preparing her soul for the blessing; grace was preparing for grace!

She did not know the Savior, but she was a God-fearer— a gentile who associated with the local Jewish community. For this reason, she knew many truths which were excellent stepping-stones toward a knowledge of Jesus.  One Sabbath day she went to a place where prayer to God was likely to be made and heard. This should encourage us not to take advantage of the means of grace. God may bless us anywhere, but we have more reason to hope that he will bless us when we are in communion with his saints.

Notice the words, “The Lord opened her heart.” She did not open her own heart. Her prayers did not do it. Paul did not do it. The Lord himself must open the heart to receive the things which bring us peace. God alone is the heart’s maker and master.

Notice that the first outward evidence of her opened heart was obedience. As soon as Lydia believed in Jesus, she was baptized. This is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart— a simple act of obedience to, and communion with, the Master. The next evidence was love, manifesting itself in acts of grateful kindness to the apostles. Love to the saints has always been a mark of the true convert. Those who do nothing for Christ or his church lack evidence of an “opened” heart. Lord, may you always give me an open heart. [M&E]