Jun 19
9
“Whose heart-the Lord opened.”—Acts xvi. 14.
It is always blessed to trace mercies to their source! And blessed when,
through grace, we are enabled to give God his glory, and not put down to
man’s merit what wholly originates in God’s grace. The opening of the
heart can only be the province of Him that made it. Renewing work, as
well as creating work, is his. He that hath the key of David, is he
alone “that openeth, and none shutteth; and shutteth, and none openeth.”
What a beautiful illustration hath the Holy Ghost given the church of
this precious truth, in the instance of this woman, whose heart the Lord
opened! We are told in her history, that she was of the city of
Thyatira, a place remote from Philippi, where this sovereign act of
mercy was shewn towards her. How long she had remained in a state of
unrenewed nature, or what predisposing providence it was that brought
her to Philippi, with other circumstances which we might have thought
interesting to inquire after, we are not informed: the grand feature in
her character is summed up in this short, but blessed account, “whose
heart the Lord opened.” The Holy Ghost hath indeed recorded her name and
occupation, by way of making this testimony concerning her: – “a certain
woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple.” Behold, my soul! what blessed
instruction ariseth out of it, for thine evening’s meditation. What
honourable mention is made of her, from this one blessed act, which the
Lord wrought upon her. Poor and inconsiderable as she was in herself;
small and of no reputation, yet her name is in the book of life! Pause,
and contemplate the rich mercy which the Lord hath also accomplished in
thee. Hath not he that opened Lydia’s heart, opened thine? And is it not
his province also, that first opened it by his grace, to keep it open by
the daily influences of his Holy Spirit? Is it not his to renew, to
refresh, to comfort, to strengthen, and to confirm unto the end? And
wilt thou not, my soul, with the close of day, and the opening of the
morning, look up for these precious manifestations? Lord! do thou open
mine eyes, mine heart, my whole soul, to the enjoyment of these gracious
renewed visits of thy love: and let no night or morning pass, without
receiving fresh and increasing evidences from my Lord, that Christ hath
both opened my heart, and is “formed in my heart, the hope of glory!
Robert Hawker. The Poor Man’s Morning and Evening Portions.