“…they were cut to the heart, and they began grinding their teeth [in rage] at him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit and led by Him, gazed into heaven and saw the glory [the great splendor and majesty] of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened up [in welcome] and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭54‬-‭56‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Acts 7, titled “Stephen’s defense” in the New Testament, stands as an example to believers today of how to face conflict. After being faced with accusations from the Chief Priests in Acts 6, Stephen responds with the simple facts of what happened. He didn’t defend himself – he just gave the truth. And when the truth “cut to their heart” and the accusers became enraged, he still didn’t respond. He simply gazed up, and in doing so, he gained an eternal perspective. 

The Greek word for gazed is atenízō: to fix one’s mind on someone or something as an example; to gaze intently and behold earnestly; to steadfastly fasten one’s eyes. Stephen wasn’t distracted by the accusations or the noise. He didn’t react to the anger or rage. He just gazed up. 

Stephen was described in Acts as being full, or plērēs, of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word means to be fully permeated with. Like you might describe someone stuck in a rainstorm, he was soaked to the bone. Stephen didn’t get soaked by attending a Sunday service or listening to some good music. He got soaked – or fully permeated- by spending time in the presence of G-d through His word, in prayer, and in worship. Little my little, moment by moment, we too can become soaked to the bone and fully permeated to the point that nothing in this world can make a mark. That’s what I want – so much of Him that I’m not rattled or marked by whatever happens around me. More of Him. Less of me. Always. 

Father – thank You for Your presence and Your Word. Shape me into Your image I pray. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen. 

Daily Reading: Acts 7-8

November 18, 2022