Upheld In Thanksgiving Grace

 

Contemplating God’s Grace in the Face of Terror

My small group at church is studying the Book of Acts in the Bible. Recently we read where Stephen, a man of faith and the Holy Spirit, was martyred. Because of his faith, and speaking Truth, he was stoned to death.

Amazingly, as he was still in the body, yet dying, Stephen, “being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Wow. Someone at the study pointed out that when Jesus ascended to heaven, He sat at the right hand of His Father. Yet, here He was, standing ready to receive Stephen. And Stephen saw Him before he died.

The Grace of God

Scripture also tells us that Jesus said to send the children to Him. Recently a group of children were murdered through beheading by ISIS. What a horrifying deed! What kind of monsters would do that to innocents?

Maybe Roman soldiers? As those who did Herod’s bidding when Baby Jesus was born?

Maybe an Egyptian Pharaoh trying to eliminate all the babies when Moses was born?

And how many more across history?

I heard that the children killed by Islam were told to give their allegiance to Allah, but they refused one by one and declared their love for Issa (Jesus). Would that I could be so strong in my faith if faced with such horror!

We are told in the Gospel of Luke not to worry about what our answers should be when such a time comes to us. Our God promises to fill our mouths with His words. I am counting on it.

The Mercy of God

But, what if there is more? If a tender Father opened up the heavens so Stephen could focus on Jesus standing waiting for him, might He have done the same thing for those children? Perhaps their eyes were focused on Issa (Jesus) holding out His arms to them as the words of faith fell from their lips and the swords descended upon them? Maybe they weren’t afraid because they really had nothing to fear and Issa’s arms around them to be gained?

Perhaps we should think on this.

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” Luke 12:11.