Acts 7:54-60
When the council members heard
Stephen’s speech, they were angry and furious. But Stephen was filled
with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious
God and Jesus standing at his right side. Then Stephen said, “I see
heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!”
The
council members shouted and covered their ears. At once they all
attacked Stephen and dragged him out of the city. Then they started
throwing stones at him. The men who had brought charges against him put
their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As Stephen was
being stoned to death, he called out, “Lord Jesus, please welcome me!”
He knelt down and shouted, “Lord, don’t blame them for what they have
done.” Then he died.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On
October 10, 2008, a woman stood up in a town hall meeting in Minnesota,
and declared to Senator John McCain that Barack Obama was an Arab. As
reported by Politico.com*, Senator McCain took the microphone from her
and stated…"No, ma'am. He's a decent family man [and] citizen that I
just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that's
what this campaign's all about. He's not [an Arab]."
This was a
gutsy – and honest reply. But a lot of people did not like it. No
doubt, these words cost John McCain some votes. I like to think that
Senator McCain can live with peace of mind that he spoke the truth that
day. To have said otherwise – or even ignored the woman’s comments –
would have essentially been an endorsement of her statements by
omission.
Most of us will never run for public office and have to worry about garnering votes. None
of us will probably ever cause a full-blown riot with our words and
actions…at least I hope not! Surely none of us will ever be stoned to
death in a public square for preaching the Gospel of Jesus – or speaking
the truth on any issue. But many of us will suffer consequences for our obedience as we say and do what God tells us.
We
will lose friends and relationships…maybe engage in an argument or
two…and possibly be ostracized by some. I know that I have been
“unfriended” by a few people on Facebook – and blocked by others on
e-mail. Some have asked to be removed from the list to receive these
Daily Devotionals because of what I said in them. It’s not the same as
the stoning of Stephen – not by a long shot! But these actions still
have an impact on us as we strive to be obedient to God's message.
No
one ever said that serving as a Christian Disciple…or standing up for
the truth…was going to be easy. When we take a stand and speak as God
directs us, there will be some who will take offense…and take out their
frustrations on us and others. Acts 6:15 tells us…”As all those who sat
on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn’t take
their eyes off him—his face was like the face of an angel!” The glow of
the Holy Spirit was visibly evident on his face…even as he was pummeled
and asked God to forgive those who were participating in his murder.
I cannot fathom that level of faithfulness and obedience…and I would never wish to be tortured or murdered for my truthfulness.
But I sure would like to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit – and
more obedient to God’s directives for my life. Wouldn’t you? What are
you willing to do to make that happen? Will this be the day that you
start to find out?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*http://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/mccain-obama-not-an-arab-crowd-boos-014479#ixzz4G6L0keIj
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