Devotion - Tuesday, August 31

In the cycle of appointed readings, Judges is the reading from the Old Testament. The Epistle readings are currently coming from Acts. This morning I was reading from Acts, chapter 8.

Stephen has just been murdered. He was stoned to death by an angry crowd. Appointed as one to “wait on tables,” in order to make sure that the daily meal was distributed equally among all the Believers, he also preached the Good News in words. He is brought before the authorities and pronounced guilty.

After the death of Stephen, there is a persecution among the followers of Jesus. In order to avoid the persecution, many flew Jerusalem. They are “scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria.” As they scatter, so also does the story of Jesus. Their intention was to avoid the authorities; the result was a broadening of the base of those who come to have trust in Jesus.

Earlier I wrote to you of Gamaliel, the Council member who advises the release of the apostles, rather than risk making martyrs of them. He said that if this movement was of God, there would be no stopping it.

The execution of Jesus leads to the events over which Gamaliel presided. The authorities had executed Jesus in an attempt to stop this movement. It had not worked. Now, in a similar effort, Stephen is put to death. Again, it only serves to further the message.

I want to remember this as I engage the world. I want to be reminded that God’s will will be done. Too often I don’t see God’s will being done; rather that which is the will of selfish and self-centered individuals. I want to hear Gamaliel’s wisdom and I pray to be patient enough to see the unfolding of God’s hope for the world.