Daily Devotional for December 19, 2015
Acts 7
Scripture:
51 “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him– 53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”
Observation:
Stephen spoke with authority. His speech to the Sanhedrin must have looked like an episode on the History Channel as he took the leaders down memory lane. Each clip revealed how God had come to the rescue and how the Israelites had rejected God’s plan.
American philosopher George Santayana (1863–1952) wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This can be seen in the history of Israel. Over the centuries, it seems they were often victims of temporary amnesia.
Believers today sometimes suffer from the same thing. Answered prayers are sometimes overlooked, or taken for granted. Testimonies of God’s faithfulness go unspoken. In such an atmosphere, hearts can grow hard.
But there is a better way.
Christians should remind themselves of what God has already done, and give Him the thanks, praise, and respect He is due. Such actions keep spiritual ears sharp and spiritual hearts strong.
Application:
- Personal Application: Make a list of the times God has rescued you. Take a moment to meditate on those times and worship God. These memories will sustain you through the tough times in life.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is remembering God’s goodness every day, not forgetting the things He has done for us. Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you remember the good things He has done.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will see God’s hand at work in their lives. Pray that they will store those moments away in their heart.
Three-Year Reading Plan for Sunday, December 13 – Sunday, December 20:
- Sunday, December 13: Acts 1
- Monday, December 14: Acts 2
- Tuesday, December 15: Acts 3
- Wednesday, December 16: Acts 4
- Thursday, December 17: Acts 5
- Friday, December 18: Acts 6
- Saturday, December 19: Acts 7
- Sunday, December 20: Acts 8
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
Portions of this devotional are adapted from God’s Word for Today, November 18, 2014.
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