«These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so» (Acts 17:11).
THAT TERRORIST ATTACK almost completely destroyed the building and ended the lives of nearly a hundred people. I remember approaching the site with a group of volunteers to offer help to those who were removing debris, hoping to find someone alive and rescue them. I remember a young man who was pacing back and forth. I went to him and he told me that his wife was under the rubble. He was distraught because thirteen hours had passed since the attack, and the hope of rescue was fading.
On the other hand, the specialists and the team of rescuers worked diligently, nonstop and quickly; with responsibility, effort, and commitment. Several lives were rescued because of that.
Paul visited the believers of Berea and, when comparing them to those of Thessalonica, he said that the Bereans were nobler. That is, they were different: they were loyal and generous; they received the message without prejudice; and they examined, delved deeper, researched, and compared on their own the words they heard from Paul with the Written Word.
The Bereans were instructed by the Word and strengthened by the Word. They studied the Scriptures devotedly, diligently, and with an intense desire to obtain more knowledge. The dictionary defines «diligence» as care, swiftness, sedulousness, haste, earnestness, keenness, efficiency, and a relentless search until the goal is reached. «If [you intend that your] hope of salvation should rise to any strength and solidity, study the Word of God diligently. «The Christian is bred by the Word and he must be fed by it» (William Gurnall).
In this age of superficiality, one thinks, reflects, and meditates less and less. To that end, like the Bereans, we must be persevering in the study of the Bible, and we must do so every day.
«The study of the Bible demands our most diligent effort and persevering thought. As the miner digs for the golden treasure in the earth, so earnestly, persistently, must we seek for the treasure of God’s word» (Education, p. 189).
Like those volunteers seeking life in the depths of the rubble, we need a greater commitment to the study of the Word.
Let us be diligent and persevering in our study and in its application.