This Day in History: 0000-11-16

November 16 – Acts 13:47-49

For the Lord gave us this command when He said, “I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.” When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for His message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region.

What a privilege to have such easy access to the Word of God. Are we taking the availability of the Gospel for granted? Friends, we live in a place and time with so much opportunity. Are we thankful for it?

Let’s step back in history for a moment and imagine ourselves in a different place.

Imagine that all your life you’ve been looked down on by God’s holy people. Access to the One True God has been limited mostly to Jews, but you were born a Gentile. Suddenly, a man stands before you, telling you about the Messiah, God’s promised Savior. You know enough about your Jewish neighbors to understand that the coming of this Messiah had been long awaited and highly anticipated. Then the man goes on to tell you that the salvation this Messiah offers is not available only to the Jews, but to you too! Not only that, God called this man to the special purpose of bringing this Gospel to you and all the rest of the Gentiles. Can you imagine the excitement as you understood for the first time who God really was, and that He wanted YOU to be one of His own people? The Bible says that when the Gentiles heard this news, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for His message.

I don’t think it should be any different today. Just because the Gospel is at the tips of our fingers everywhere we go doesn’t mean it should be any less exciting when we realize that its message is for us! Our enthusiasm over being chosen for eternal life shouldn’t be any less than those early believers. As His followers, we should be just as eager to spread the Lord’s message throughout the entire region!

So let’s rejoice… TRULY REJOICE today for the Bible. Let’s thank God for giving us His Word and for giving us the Holy Spirit to lead us into an understanding of it. Let’s be forever grateful that He chose each of us!