| Photo by Gift Habershaw on Unsplash
In Acts 6-7, we read about a man named Stephen. In Acts 6:8, we see “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” They come after Stephen because many people are coming to Jesus!
In Acts 7, we see Stephen’s message to the religious leaders. Reminds them that they are the people of God! He told them they had become spiritually hard and resistant to the Holy Spirit.
The religious leaders take Stephen and start to stone him. While they are stoning him to death, Stephen prays: Acts 7: 59-60; “Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord do not hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep! And Saul approved of killing him.”
Just because we follow Jesus does not exempt us from life’s struggles. We are not promised that we will face tragedies in life, but we are promised that the Holy Spirit will never leave us.
Stephen prayed for those who were killing him! That is only possible because of the presence of the Holy Spirit!
Look who approves of his death. God was using his death to reach a man named Saul, who would become Paul.
Remember Romans 8:28; “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose!”
Lord, thank You that You are working out Your good in my life today!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and from significant emotional experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.
