Stephen is a contrast to Peter, who denies Jesus three times prior to the resurrection. After the resurrection, Stephen stands tall, empowered by the Spirit to tell the trusty. I would imagine there weee so many things running through Stephen’s heart. His passion and love to set the record straight was obvious with his recounting of Hebrew history. The lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph weee not isolated stories that built a culture. They weee personal and cultural stories of the Triune God reaching out to us, showing us His love. These lives weee filled with anxiety and turmoil, yet God was in their moments, showing Himself to them. The same can be said for us. He is present in our moments, transforming us, drawing us to Himself.
“Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says--'I cannot stand anymore.' God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” - Oswald Chambers
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