In Acts 6 we learn that Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the early Church. He was faithful and wise. In Acts 7, we witness Stephen boldly addressing the Council, which was made up of religious leaders. During his address, Stephen retold Israel’s history in an effort to make a point that God’s presence is not limited to a temple. Stephen wanted the religious leaders to experience God’s glory. But he also knew that much like Israel’s repeated rejection of God, His messengers, and of Jesus the Messiah, these religious leaders would miss their moment for a transformative encounter with God. As the religious leaders were filled with rage from Stephen’s address, Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, and God’s glory was revealed. Stephen told the religious leaders, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” (v. 56). The religious leaders did not look up, rather they put their hands over their ears, and they began shouting; and this took places moments before they stoned Stephen to death. (v. 57-58)
Today’s passage is the part of Stephen’s address to the Council where he recalls Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush. The religious leaders might have missed God’s message through Stephen, but we need to grab ahold of it. Just as the glory of God called Moses to humbly accept his position within God’s Family and for His Kingdom, our freedom in Christ calls us to the same place of humble acceptance within God’s Family and working for the glory of His Name and His Kingdom. God told Moses to take off his sandals, because He needed Moses to embrace the holy position that he was going to walk out for God. God was going to use Moses to free His people from oppression. Friends, God invites us to “holy ground” moments every day. We need to embrace the holy position that God has for us to walk out.
Acts 7:30-34 (NLT)
30 “Forty years later, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to Moses in the flame of a burning bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the Lord called out to him, 32 ‘I am the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses shook with terror and did not dare to look.
33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 34 I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans and have come down to rescue them. Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt.’
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom we have in You. Holy Spirit help us to have courage like Stephen and Moses. We want to grow in our faith walk with You, Jesus, and to be guided by Your wisdom. We bow our hearts to You as we walk out this day with humility and on holy ground. We ask for more hearts to encounter You, and if You need to use us today, we are willing vessels for You, Jesus. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.