One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Lydia was at this place of prayer with a group of women because she believed in God. She had become a proselyte of Judaism and as Paul spoke the Lord opened her heart.
Being reformed we hear this from the view of God's sovereignty. If something happens, then it is by God's command.
But it can and should be heard from another perspective. Paul was not a good speaker! It could not have been Paul's eloquence or content that saved her. It had to be God. Paul recorded the testimony of others:
For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.”
And he confessed that any eloquence or convincing argument would get in the way:
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Lord, open the hearts of those around us as we stutter through the words of life.
(The article 3 Main Reasons That Confirmed Apostle Paul Wasn’t A Polished Speaker was used as a reference.)
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