Read: Acts 7:1–53
Stephen replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.’” Acts 7:2–3
We often fail to remember all that God has done in our lives. We forget God’s history with us. When we are confronted with a new challenge or when the course of our life suddenly changes, we often forget that God is right there with us, shepherding us through unknown territory.
As Stephen stood in front of members of a hostile religious council who were angered by his proclamations about Jesus Christ, Stephen looked back over the history of Israel and witnessed to the activity of God in and through it all. Stephen reflected on God’s past actions in an attempt to explain God’s present movement. This happens so often in the Bible; memories of God’s faithful history are retold to encourage people’s faith in God’s continued and present activity in the world.
It doesn’t take much examination of our own personal histories to see God’s activity and presence. If God has been faithful to us in the past, why wouldn’t we assume God’s faithful presence in future? It is important to remember God’s history with us.
Can you look back over your life—the many twists and turns—and witness God’s guiding hand at work?
Lord, thank You for never leaving me forsaken. Thank You for faithfully tending to my life even when I was unaware of it. When I look back, I see Your hand at work. With such history between us, how could I ever fear for our future together? In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.