Today’s reading: Acts 8:1-3
Stephen’s wrongful framing and murder sends a shock wave through the community of new Christ-followers. So much so that all but the apostles “were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” (vs. 1). There’s no doubt that choosing to live for Christ at this point in time was difficult. The religious climate was a tense one, emotionally charged and full of opposition from the Jewish establishment. But here’s the thing that this group of early believers didn’t yet understand or see–that the persecution that caused them to scatter, ultimately resulted in an incredible spreading of the Gospel message.
As I contemplated this passage, the Old Testament account of Joseph came to mind. In Genesis 50:20 Joseph tells his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Both accounts are excellent examples of how God can and does use all circumstances to further His master plan.
What comfort do you draw knowing that God often uses hard and difficult circumstances to bring about good? What’s one example of where something that you thought was bad ultimately turned out to be for your good? Tami
Source: Tami’s Blog
