APRIL 26, 2024
Topic: BE GLAD
Text: Acts 13:48
Memory Verse: “Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed”. Acts 13:48 (NKJV)
There are certain ways we respond to the word of God and the revelation of the person of Jesus via the scriptures. Many approach and deal with the word of God casually and thereby lose the pleasure and the delights the word of God brings. One of the ways we respond to the word of Grace (Act 20:32) is by rejoicing or with gladness. This necessarily means excitement (Matt. 13:20). Rejoicing in the word brings healing to both the body and the soul.
The Gentiles gladly responded to the word of God by rejoicing (Acts 13:4) in spite of the reactions around. It is not always automatic to gladly receive and respond to the word of God because some of the Jews who heard the word of God reacted with jealousy, argument and insults (vs. 45), going to the length of raining abuse on Paul and Barnabas.
“Hearing” the word of God becomes a very vital process for responding to the word of God appropriately. “And when the Gentiles heard this…” vs. 48 – this pointing again and again that unless we hear, we won’t respond well. Alluding to this, Bob Sorge in his book “In His Face” says one of the most profound things about the word “hear” in the bible: “Everything in the gospel is predicated upon truly and simply hearing what God is saying”.
What should we then do to the word of God’s redemptive grace we hear? Be glad about it in response and reception. Today, when you hear the gospel, do not just listen to the exposition of scriptures with your natural ears, engage your spirit. The information received through your natural sense of hearing will move from your mind to your heart, internally transforming you until your heart bubbles with gladness and joy.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to gladly respond and receive your word at all times, Amen.