“Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”- Acts 7:57–60
Joseph Parker, a powerful preacher and contemporary of Charles Spurgeon, spent a great deal of time, especially in his younger years, speaking in public parks and gathering places, presenting the gospel to atheists and skeptics who gathered to discuss the topics of the day. Once he was confronted by an infidel who shouted at him, “What did Christ do for Stephen when he was stoned?” Parker responded, “He gave him grace to pray for those who stoned him.”
God’s grace does not always deliver us from the suffering of trials. Some of the greatest Christians in history endured great hardship and persecution, and multiplied thousands have perished for their faith. What grace does, however, is overcome the hardship, so that we endure with faith and in our darkest moments are an unmistakable witness to the world. It is not by accident that the Bible tells us Saul was present at Stephen’s death. The attitude Saul saw displayed by the dying martyr helped prepare his heart to receive Christ.
Just as Jesus on the cross asked the Father to forgive those who were killing Him, Stephen sought God’s mercy on his unjust murderers. Most of us will not face that ultimate test, but we all endure physical, emotional, and spiritual trials. And for every trial, God’s grace is sufficient if we apply it and allow it to govern our responses. Rather than asking God for ease and comfort, we should ask for grace to reflect Jesus in our trials. ( Daily in the Word)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
