- And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him… Acts 7:9 – Here Stephen is retelling the story of the Israelites and all their past struggles. What stood out to me was how often the word “but” was used in the retelling. Meaning something bad happened, but God came through. Never forget that God is all about the changing of stories. Your story right now might be one of weakness, fear, anxiety, and doubt, but God can and will help you. Your story can become a “but God” story simply by turning to Him and following Him today. He showed us in scripture what He can do in people’s lives, allow Him to show you what He can do in your own life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 636
- But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. Acts 7:42-44 – Stephen is on trial before the Jewish council who is seeking to stop and condemn him for his proclaiming of Jesus. Stephen uses his time in front of them to remind them of how their heroes of history pointed to the Messiah, but also how over and over the Jewish people would reject and condemn. They would have God in front of them and with them, yet they would serve and worship false gods instead like we see in our passage. They rejected God’s plan and went after their own instead. Such a lifestyle resulted in prophets of old being killed, worship of God to stop, and even Jesus being crucified. We may look at what God tells us to do in scripture, and while it doesn’t look appealing to the eye as maybe our life of sin does, know following God and His ways is best. With passages like this, we are invited to see the bigger picture of choosing sin and rejecting God’s ways. Yes, choosing to follow God and proclaim His gospel may not always end smoothly for us, it didn’t for Stephen. God though is worthy of our wholehearted devotion, allow Him to have it today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2533
Daily DEVO 