June 11

Acts 7:51-8:13

We need to learn to have eyes to see what God is doing. The early church was rapidly expanding and it seemed like nothing could stand against it. Even when apostles were arrested, they were miraculously released from prison. Then suddenly things seemed to change. When Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin, he was soon murdered through stoning. There was no miraculous angelic intervention, God did not stop the stones in mid-air—instead Stephen died. What could God possibly be doing amid the death of someone he loved?

It is sometimes very difficult to see the connection between suffering in our own lives and God’s activity. Yet Scripture helps us see how he has worked in similar or more difficult circumstances in the past, and therefore, how he might be working in the present. Notice Acts 8:4, the result of persecution in the aftermath of Stephen’s death led to the expansion of the gospel message. Many cities heard the news of Jesus as a direct result of the increased persecution of the church. Suffering in this case, directly led to people coming to faith in Christ. Stephen proclaimed Christ with his dying breath, and Philip and others did the same as they traveled throughout the Roman Empire. No matter the cost they continued to share Jesus, the very thing we are called to as well.

Father God, help me to trust you in all situations of life and be able to see how you are working in and through me. Amen. 

How have you seen God use hardship in your life to make him known?