Unstoppable! 'Hope Born in Hostile Times' — Acts 7:17-21

Thursday, April 4, 2024

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[As Stephen continued his defense, he moved from God's deliverance of his people through Joseph and began to tell the story of Moses:] "As the time drew near when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph. This king exploited our people and oppressed them, forcing parents to abandon their newborn babies so they would die.

"At that time Moses was born — a beautiful child in God's eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months. When they had to abandon him, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son."

— Acts 7:17-21 NLT

Key Thought

"This king exploited our people..." Stephen shared these explosively emotive words to describe the desperate times when Moses was born. Hardship, genocide, slavery, and exploitation are words that any fair-minded person abhors. For Moses, however, these weren't merely words or concepts or theory; these words described his reality and the reality of God's desperate people. Where was deliverance? Where was God? What happened to God's promise? God's promise showed itself through the beauty of a new life, a baby named Moses whom God used to infiltrate the palace of Pharaoh! God uses many of our qualities, experiences, and pains — even our beauty! Whatever we are and whoever we are, and no matter where we find ourselves, let's offer ourselves for God to use to bring his blessing to those who do not know him!

Today's Prayer

Sovereign Lord, as my Father, you know more about me — inside and out — than anyone, including me. Please speak to my heart through the Holy Spirit; remind me that I am your child, that you love me, and that you find pleasure in me. Jesus, please help me see myself as you do. Don't let Satan denigrate and destroy my sense of who I am by your grace. Use me, O Lord; use all of me — my strength, weakness, sadness, joy, beauty, plainness, gifts, frustrations, and faith. When you send someone to encourage me — my "Pharaoh's daughter" who sees your beauty in me — don't let me discount what they see. Instead, O Father, use me, all of me, to show your grace to others. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 17:1-8
  • 1 Peter 4:10-11

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 7:17-21 NLT — [As Stephen continued his defense, he moved from God's deliverance of his people through Joseph and began to tell the story of Moses:] "As the time drew near when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph. This king exploited our people and oppressed them, forcing parents to abandon their newborn babies so they would die. "At that time Moses was born — a beautiful child in God's eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months. When they had to abandon him, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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