LYDIA AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
“… and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.”- {Acts 16;7-15}.
Paul had wanted to go to a certain area and the Spirit of God forbid him and re-directed him in the different way and down by a river the LORD who had Providentially saved Paul and then at a later time forbid him from going to one location, redirected him towards another location where Lydia and some others were down by the river. What a day this would turn out for her. Unknown to her, BUT the LORD had been providentially working it all for her eternal welfare and His glory as He was working all things according to His plan. He had sent His SON, He later saved Paul and circumstances his life and hers that they would meet at the river.
He had been orchestrating circumstances, events, people so they would meet. Paul went down to the river where grace and mercy would kiss the sinner through the message of LIFE and that day, that glorious day Lydia would be carved out of spiritual darkness and brought into the Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son, pardoned from all her sins, adopted into the family of God, to know Him who formed her, died for her and arose from the dead so she could be justified and eternally stand in Favor with Him-{Rom 5:1-2}. Think of Him, there was a day He had picked out Lydia would be conceived, a day she would be physically born and a day He picked out that she would be “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus!” How marvelous, meticulous, detailed, intimately involved is He. And as was true of LYDIA, so is true of you!- {Read 1 Peter 1;3}
What seemed like an ordinary day was anything but, it was the day God had ordained, pre-planned that Lydia should become His daughter!
God providentially working in time through people, events, circumstances turning them so Paul and Lydia would meet and we read that “God opened Lydia’s heart to receive the Word.” What graciousness, extravagant generosity, tender mercy from Him to love a rebel, sinner,violently opposed to Him as Paul was and even this religious woman Lydia, both in need and both having their need met by Him, who circumstanced their lives, protecting, preserving and at that glorious moment revealing their sin and Himself the solution to their need!
Contemplate Him and His dealings with you. The people He brought into your life, spreading the seed of the Gospel and the moment He opened your heart to receive His life saving Word. Praise Him who pre planned and executed His plan in saving you!
THINK– He still has you here and there are more Paul’s and Lydia’s out there whom God is pursuing and circumstancing their lives and yours to cross and to share with them and be part of His work in sharing that He would save them!
Stuck in an airport? No problem, perhaps there is someone He would have you share with.Or you look at people, Pray for them, if they know Him, that they would follow wholeheartedly if they don’t He would convict and convert them as he is worthy of your loving obedience. In your circumstances look who is in them and be about His business. Are you working or at school with people or sitting watching a kids ball game, recital, notice the people around you, for such a time as this God has raised you up and circumstanced your lives to come across the lives of others, to have favor with some, an opportunity to evangelize or encourage them in the faith!
Your life is not an accident but an appointment for today for HIS purposes. Like David may it be said of you …
“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; “-{Acts 13:36}.
Today somewhere in the world is no ordinary day as Jesus Christ has circumstanced lives to cross, and today He is saving people and using His people, like you, to pray, share, give that others may have an extraordinary life changing encounter this day with the Resurrected LORD Jesus Christ!