1 Kings 8:1-66
Acts 7:51-8:13
Psalm 129:1-8
Proverbs 17:1
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CityLight Pastor Commentary:
“Then [Stephen] knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60). Stephen was being stoned to death, yet the Book of Acts said he calmly accepted death. Instead of pleading for his abusers to stop, or crying out for God to punish them, Stephen did something remarkable: he asked God to forgive them for what they were doing. Stephen was innocent: he knew it, and so did his attackers. Yet instead of asking for justice on them, Stephen asked for mercy. We see the source of his strength and power in verse 55, when he “…gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God.” After just one glimpse of Jesus Christ and His glory, everything else pales in comparison.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the example set by Your Son Jesus Christ. He taught us to never lash out at our accusers, but to pray forgiveness over them. Help us to be calm, cool and collected like Stephen, having received just one glimpse of Who You Are.