Verse
[Stephen said,] “And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition — traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels — gift-wrapped! — and you squandered it!”
Thought
These are harsh words that Stephen uttered to the religious mob that was about to kill him. Yet Stephen’s concern was not for his own safety or acceptance, but for the message that God’s people refused to hear. They were rejecting the message of God just like their ancestors did. When the Holy Spirit inspires a message and we refuse to respond and change our hearts and minds, then we are no different than they were: we are given God’s message of truth and grace and squander it. So let’s seek to hear God’s message for us and ask the Holy Spirit who inspired that message to empower it to come alive in us!
Prayer
O God, help me hear your Spirit-inspired message and then respond with conviction and passion so that I can have your will come alive in my thoughts, words, and behavior. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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