[In his defense, Stephen continued to tell the story of Moses:] "So God sent back [to Egypt] the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us?' Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior. And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years."
— Acts 7:35-36 NLT
Key Thought
I love this part about Moses from Stephen's defense: "the same man his people had previously rejected... God sent... to be their ruler and savior." This humbled, desert-hardened sheepherder, this unpretentious Moses, was the man God chose to use. It wasn't Moses, the well-educated, royal-robed, and privileged prince, that God used. Those royal experiences would be used, but only for a time. The humble sheepherder in the wilderness would be the strong leader for the Israelites' long and hard journey after they left Egypt. Now that's inspiring and reassuring for all of us who journey through hard times and find ourselves ready to give up! Yes, "God sent Moses..."! And he can send each of us.
Today's Prayer
O precious and loving Father, like Paul wrote about Abraham, I believe that you are God, the only one "who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing."* I believe this statement is true about death, and so I trust in the resurrection that lies ahead. I also believe this principle is true when life seems hopeless, at a dead end, and empty of promise. As other people pray this prayer, dear Father, I pray that you resurrect their hopes, their careers, their faith, and their expectation that you will do with us what you did with Moses, that you will raise life, purpose, meaning, and future out of their — and my — apparent futility. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- Luke 4:1-4
- Philippians 2:1-11
Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Illustration
![Illustration of Acts 7:35-36 NLT — [In his defense, Stephen continued to tell the story of Moses:] "So God sent back [to Egypt] the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us?' Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior. And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years."](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/24681.jpg "Illustration of Acts 7:35-36 NLT — [In his defense, Stephen continued to tell the story of Moses:] \"So God sent back [to Egypt] the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us?' Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior. And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years.\"")
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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