Unstoppable! 'Rejected Leadership, Rejected God' — Acts 7:39-41

Saturday, April 12, 2025

[Stephen, in his defense before the council, emphasized how the Jewish ancestors had turned against Moses during their time in the Sinai wilderness:] "But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt. They told Aaron, 'Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don't know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.' So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made."
— Acts 7:39-41 NLT

Key Thought

The Israelites rejected Moses, and in so doing, they also rejected God. They trusted in the work of their hands instead of trusting the deliverance they had received from God. They quickly forgot what God had done and the leader he had chosen to deliver them. Generations later, the Israelites did the same with Jesus. But are we different? Do we call on God only when we are desperate and need him to solve some problem? Do we expect God to do our will instead of surrendering our lives to his will? Do we expect God to protect us while we ignore his warnings about the consequences of disobedience?

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive us, forgive me, for so quickly forgetting all of your blessings. Forgive me for choosing my own will and following my own path. Forgive me for ignoring your calls to live life by Jesus' standard and not the world's standard. I recognize, dear Father, that your people have repeatedly turned away from you and your will for them - all to their harm. Come, O Holy Spirit, and anoint us with power and clean hearts so that we pursue the way of the Lord out of reverential appreciation for all he has done. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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2 Related Resources by Heartlight

God Turned Away from Them
Devo: Unstoppable!
"[In his defense before the council, Stephen spoke of his rebellious ancestors and God's judgment on them:] "So they made an idol shaped like a calf,....."
Turning our Hearts Back to Egypt?
Article by Russ Lawson
Are you looking back or straining to what's ahead? Sometimes we find ourselves unhappy with where we are and look back to the good ol' days just like Israel did in turning their hearts back to Egypt.

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 7:39-41 NLT — [Stephen, in his defense before the council, emphasized how the Jewish ancestors had turned against Moses during their time in the Sinai wilderness:] "But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt. They told Aaron, 'Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don't know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.' So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made."

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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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