Mon., 7/27/15 Devotion (Acts 13:7)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 13:7, where we read these words:

"The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man . . . called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God."

Sometimes we believers wrongly imagine that no one "out there" wants to hear the Word of the Lord. We often feel that we are all alone, as the only ones who have any interest in the truth, or the gospel. The Bible—the New Testament in particular—challenges this notion. Here, a smart man wants to hear the Word of God. (Cf. also in this connection Acts 13:42 & 44, where people "beg" to hear the Word, and show up in big numbers [to do so].)

Therefore, let us always be prepared to speak the gospel of Christ's grace to any and all who will hear it. We are likely to be surprised by those who are (and who are not) interested.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Our victory lies not in ourselves and our own habit-ual strength, but in Christ's fresh assistance.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]