April 29th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

GIVE ME EARS TO HEAR

Acts 7:51-53 (Read Acts 7:1-53) “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” 

The Jewish audience for Stephan’s long message found in Acts chapter 7, “were locked in unbelief.” They were descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, chosen by God to be His people. Over the 2,000 years between Abraham and the coming of Jesus into the world there was a history of the Jewish people embracing the idolatry of their neighboring nations. The descendants at the end of these 2,000 years (Stephan’s audience) wanted nothing to do with the Messiah God had sent them. Stephan, as recorded in Acts chapter 7, recounted the long history of the Jewish people rejecting Yahweh as their God. 

Stephan called those in his audience “stiff necked,” “uncircumcised,” and guilty of “resisting the Holy Spirit.” They only bore the covenant sign outwardly, but not in their hearts. They opposed God’s word.   

To resist the Holy Spirit, to reject God’s word, to have nothing to do with Jesus Christ cuts a person off from the means by which alone they can receive God’s forgiveness of their sins. Outside of the work of the Holy Spirit through the gospel and sacraments there can be no faith in Jesus Christ. Without this faith there is no way to enter into heaven. 

Thanks be to God for His continued desire that all would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. God has loved you so much that you have been baptized, heard the gospel, and received the gift of faith in Jesus. For those reading this who have not yet been baptized, He invites you to receive this precious gift through which the Holy Spirit works to give you faith in Jesus. God does not desire anyone to be condemned but that all will repent of their sins, believe in His son Jesus, and receive the gift of everlasting life. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, continue to work through the sacraments and the gospel to bring people to faith in Jesus. Use me to spread that gospel for all to hear and through it be brought to faith in Jesus. Amen. 

I know my faith is founded On Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;  
And this my faith confessing, Unmoved I stand on His sure Word.  
Our reason cannot fathom The truth of God profound;  
Who trusts in human wisdom Relies on shifting ground.  
God’s Word is all-sufficient, It makes divinely sure;  
And trusting in its wisdom, My faith shall rest secure. 

Increase my faith, dear Savior, For Satan seeks by night and day  
To rob me of this treasure And take my hope of bliss away.   
But, Lord, with You beside me, I shall be undismayed;  
And led by Your good Spirit, I shall be unafraid.  
Abide with me, O Savior, A firmer faith bestow;  
Then I shall bid defiance To ev’ry evil foe. 

In faith, Lord, let me serve You; Though persecution, grief, and pain  
Should seek to overwhelm me, Let me a steadfast trust retain;  
And then at my departure, Lord, take me home to You,  
Your richest to inherit As all You said holds true.  
In life and death, Lord, keep me Until Your heav’n I gain,  
Where I by Your great mercy The end of faith attain.  

I Know My Faith Is Founded // LSB 587

Public Domain // Used by Permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198