Do You Think Saul Remembered This Day?

Exodus 28; Exodus 29; Acts 7
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Scripture

The Stoning of Stephen

54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Observation

I believe that when the Lord called out to Saul on the road to Damascus and then blinded Saul I can’t help but think that Saul saw the stoning of Stephen over and over in his mind. I am sure that the words that Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" were being played over and over in Saul’s mind. And how about the words of Stephen when he cried out, "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." I am sure that Saul remembered those words too when He heard God’s voice that day.

Paul was prepared for the Damascus road experience and was ready to be saved in part because of the way Stephen met his death. I don’t think a day went by where Paul did not relive the death of Stephen. When Paul was stoned almost to death I can’t help but think that he thought about Stephen as each stone struck him.

God uses all kinds of experiences both good and bad to bring people to salvation.

Application

I can’t save people from all their bad circumstances because it is in those bad circumstances they have the opportunity to look up and see Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray this morning for some people that are in crisis. Some of them are in financial trouble and others are in martial difficulties and I can’t fix their problems. I pray that You walk with them through these tough times. I pray that they would fully commit their lives to You so that You could strengthen them and help them. You alone are their salvation. Help them to trust in You.

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