The Love and Loyalty of Lydia

Write From My Heart / January 10, 2021 / The Love and Loyalty of Lydia

Acts 16:13-15 (NLT) On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

            The story of Lydia has always been one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Perhaps it has something to do with her occupation—a merchant of expensive purple cloth—and purple is among my favorite colors. Lydia’s story is intriguing to me in other ways, too. She must have been a very independent women, in fact some Bible scholars credit her as either being a free woman or a widow because she seemed to be the decision-maker for her household. The fact she was a merchant also supports her independent status.

            Although Paul met Lydia in Philippi during his second missionary trip (ca. 49-51), he notes in his writing that Lydia came from Thyatira. You might remember Thyatira being one of the seven churches referenced in The Revelation of John as being a church of compromise. Specifically, Thyatira was commended for being loving, faithful, loyal in service, and for their endurance. Yet they were condemned for accepting the compromising philosophy of Jezebel in accommodating and participating in perversions and heresies of the world’s influence. True enough there is a time disparity since Revelation was written around 90-96 _AD. However, since we have no way to know how long the condemning conditions of compromise had existed in Thyatira prior to the writing of Revelation, it is possible this is one of the adversities Lydia had to overcome in order to remain faithful and loyal in worshiping God. It was upon hearing Paul’s message that she was able to take her worship of God and make it personal by accepting belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

            It apparently took a little convincing for Paul and his companions (Silas and Timothy) to stay at Lydia’s home. Though Lydia came from a place that promoted compromising with world standards, she wanted Paul to recognize her loyalty was firmly grounded in belief in the Lord. And this is what draws me to her story. She remained steadfast and loyal while those around her succumbed to the compromising enticements of the world. My heart tells me that this is very similar to the situation we face today. My prayer is that we will remain loyal and faithful in spite of the compromise we see around us.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for the example we have in the love and loyalty of Lydia. Forgive us when we falter. Strengthen our resolve to remain faithful to you.

            In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.