And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying; “Lord, Jesus, receive my spirit.” Acts 7:59

Getting hurt without any real cause happens to a lot of people. When someone else has done the hurting, it is common for many people to be quick to sue others for the damages done. They want revenge and for the one who did the harm to pay for it. Letting it go and looking the other way rarely happens. It is all about self and taking care of self above all others and at any cost.

Luke writes in Acts about Stephen as he was telling the history of Israel and how they just crucified the Messiah, Jesus, and they began to stone him. As he was being stoned, Stephen asked Jesus to receive his spirit.

The focus of the world is always on self, what self can get or do. Taking care of oneself rises above taking care of anyone else, especially those who are the enemy and are harmful.

Having a focus like this only focuses on the here and now, it rarely looks to the future. Revenge will feel good for a moment but will leave one empty and with nothing but angry feelings in the end. The things and ways of this world are temporary.

It is easy for believers to also get caught up in the moment and focus on self rather than God and others. Rather than seek revenge, believers need to put their focus on God and what He has for them.

The enemy will strike and throw stones trying to harm the believer, but all they can do is kill the body. Believers should have their eyes on Christ and the future He has for them. His future will outlast the temporary revenge one might get.

As you get closer to God and speak His words to this world, the world will seek to harm you and destroy you. Getting stoned by the world will hurt and be painful. Your anger may rise up to strike back. Put your focus on God. Look forward to the future in heaven that He has promised you. Allow God to take care of you and hold you close to Him, even as the world is pushing you away and striking you.

When the world is throwing stones to harm you, where is your focus?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will protect you from the stones of this world; that you will put all of your focus upon God and His promises; and that you will see God’s hand leading you home to heaven.

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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom

About the Author

Tom Arn is happily married for 30 years to his wonderful wife Cammie. They are blessed by God with eight wonderful children and one grandchild. Tom has worked as a children’s pastor, senior pastor, and many times (and currently) as a Sunday School Teacher. He has a General Ministries degree with a Bible College. He started doing a short devotional type Bible study on Facebook in 2014, going through the books of the Bible chapter by chapter, section by section. Tom writes what he feels God is placing on his heart.

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