The Radiance

Acts 6:15

The Bible talks about Stephen in the book of Acts.

Chapter 6, verse 8 says, Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. What would we do if such a believer or leader lived among us? Wouldn't we be celebrating him for what God does through him? But the reactions from the people around him were different. This shows that there will always be two sets of people who react in their own way when they see a rising leader.

Here, some reacted as in verse 11: So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of the religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

Stephen and his reaction to the accusations can be seen in verse 15. It says, Amidst all these accusations, they couldn't stop staring at the face of Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel's.

Hey friend, will our face be like angels’ when we are accused wrongly? May God help us to carry His presence in such a way that even our accusers will stop to stare at the glory God reveals through us.

Dear God, may we not live an empty life, but a life that carries Your glory, Your story. May You shine through us. As in Psalm 34:5 (NIV):

“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

May our faces never be covered in shame, but with Your radiance. May we look nowhere else for any help but at You.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.