Recently, I’ve been reading through the book of Acts, and I came across the story of Stephen. I’ve always known him as the first Christian martyr, but never really dove deep into his story. The story of Stephen is just a short story, but you can see God’s hand over it.
Stephen was chosen to serve the Hellenistic Jews and care for their spiritual needs. When Stephen was appointed, he started preaching boldly.
“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen… who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.” (Acts 6:8-10)
Stephen had remarkable wisdom for someone who had only recently begun his ministry. That wisdom came directly from the Holy Spirit. Being full of the Spirit was one of the reasons the disciples chose him in the first place. (Acts 6:5)
Stephen knew the hand of God was upon him because he knew the Holy Spirit dwelled within him. And he wanted the Jewish leaders to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit like he and so many other people had. This is how Stephen responded to the Jewish leaders when they accused him of being a false teacher.
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51)
The passion and boldness in those words just amaze me of the faith Stephen had. Stephen’s message wasn’t rooted in anger but in his love for God and his desire for others to know the God as he did. Yet this was their response:
“When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.” (Acts 7:54)
But Stephen knew God and he had a relationship with Him. He knew the hand of God was over him every moment, even as he faced death. And just before he was stoned, God allowed him to see His glory.
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'” (Acts 7:55-56)
As I read Stephen’s story, I can’t help but reflect on my own life. Just as the hand of God was over Stephen’s life, I can look back and see the hand of God over mine.
Whenever I hear the lyrics from Goodness of God—
“All my life You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
—I always get the same picture in my mind. I see God’s hands resting on my head and my husband’s head and then moving on to resting on our children’s head. But God’s hand keeps moving, resting His hands on generation after generation.
I know God’s hand is over my life. I know His hand is over my husband’s life. I know His hand is over my children’s lives. And I believe His hand will remain over the generations that come after us.
There are things about my heavenly father I cannot fathom but God gave me an earthly father whose life reflected so much of His character.
My dad was kind and loving, just as my Heavenly Father is kind and loving. My dad also corrected me when I needed it, just as my Heavenly Father disciplines His children.
When I think of my dad, one of the things that brings me the greatest comfort is remembering his hands.
From the age of twenty until he was sixty-four, my dad farmed. I remember him coming home with dirty hands, bruised hands, and sometimes even bloody hands from the hard work he did to provide for his family. His hands were ever-present in my life. Those hands provided and protected me.
But when cancer forced my dad to stop farming, his hands began to change.
His strong and calloused hands become weak and smooth. Eventually, not only his hands but his entire body wore out, and he passed from this life into eternity.
As grateful as I am for my earthly father whose hands were all over my life, there is an even greater comfort in knowing that the hand of God has never left me.
My earthly father’s hands grew tired, but God’s hands never do.
My earthly father’s hands became weak, but God’s hands will always be strong enough to take on any battle I will face.
My earthly father’s hands eventually gave out but God’s hands will continue for generations until His return.
Just like the words from Goodness of God, I can look back over my life and see the hand of God all throughout my life. Through every bad choice I made as a teenager, through the hardships my husband and I have faced, through every hill and valley of parenthood, the hand of God has remained steady, and He has been with me every step of the way.
We would like to thank Bethany Williams for writing this post.
Women's Ministry 