The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 20:32, “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” As Paul met with the Ephesian elders and let them know that he would not be seeing them again - this side of heaven - he committed them “to God and to the word of his grace”. Because he knows he is passing from the scene and will no longer be available as a resource for them as they face the “savage wolves” that will “come in among you and will not spare the flock” he commits them to what will be an even bigger resource for them: God and the word of his grace. Paul points out that the “word of his grace” can provide two things. It can give an inheritance and build up. In an earlier letter Paul had written to this church, he pointed out something wonderful about God’s word, “You also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14. God’s word provides the opportunity for salvation into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, 1 Peter 1:4. God’s word can also build up believers, bringing them to maturity and keeping them from the damage of “savage wolves” that would seek to devour the flock of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” We, as these Ephesian elders eventually did, live apart from the leadership of an apostle like Paul within our midst. And just as these Ephesians needed to be committed to God’s word, we do as well today. A too high estimation can never be placed on the role the Scriptures need to play in our lives today. In both bringing us to salvation and then for building us up in him, the Scriptures need to find their rightful place in our lives, in our schedules, in our priorities. How wonderful our God of grace has provided us with the “word of his grace”! May it be met with the enthusiasm and attention it rightly deserves in our lives today! Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you! If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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