Acts 17:11 (NIV)
11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
I am drawn to this verse today and keep reading and re-reading it. I have always been drawn to stories and movies of nobility; King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table; the movie “The Patriot”; Gladiator. What does it mean to be noble? Mirriam Webster defines it as:
no•ble \ˈnō-bəl\ adj
no•bler \-b(ə-)lər\; no•blest \-b(ə-)ləst\ [ME, fr. AF, fr. L nobilis well-known, noble, fr. noscere to come to know — more at know]
1 a : possessing outstanding qualities : illustrious
b : famous, notable 〈noble deeds〉
2 : of high birth or exalted rank : aristocratic
3 a : possessing very high or excellent qualities or properties 〈noble wine〉
b : very good or excellent
4 : grand or impressive esp. in appearance 〈noble edifice〉
5 : possessing, characterized by, or arising from superiority of mind or character or of ideals or morals : lofty 〈a noble ambition〉
6 : chemically inert or inactive esp. toward oxygen 〈a noble metal such as platinum〉 — compare base 6a syn see moral — no•ble•ness \-bəl-nəs\ n — no•bly \-blē also -bə-lē\ adv
According to Acts 17:11, I become noble – or more noble – by receiving the message with great eagerness (the New Living version says “more open minded”) and by examining or searching the Scripture every day.
I am a beloved son of God. We are beloved children of God, THE Lord of Lords, THE King of Kings. You and I ARE nobility (see definition #2). You and I are “of high birth or exalted rank!”
What is the message I receive with eagerness?
All too often, I receive the message from my enemy… a message that dissuades me, a message that depresses me, a message of my worthlessness, a message of “never be good enough”, a message that tears me down an draws me away from or hinders my knowing my Father more. The bible says that my enemy is a liar and there is no truth in him. James tells me that every good and perfect thing is from God. Every good thing – even good thoughts – is from God. Daddy doesn’t ever want me to forget who I am in Christ, my family name – so to speak, my heritage. He doesn’t want me to forget my nobilty!
Father,
I ask you to forgive me for those times when I choose to believe the lies of the devil instead of the truth of Your Word about who I am. I repent from it and choose today to receive with eagerness the message You have given me about who I am – that I am The King’s beloved son. Father help me “be more noble” by receiving your message and eagerly examining the Scriptures daily, as the Bereans did in Acts 17. I ask these things in the mighty and noble name of Jesus. Amen
Running After Papa…