Unstoppable! 'God Turned Away from Them' — Acts 7:41-43

Sunday, April 13, 2025

[In his defense before the council, Stephen spoke of his rebellious ancestors and God's judgment on them:] "So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made. Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written,
'Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings
during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?
No, you carried your pagan gods —
the shrine of Molech,
the star of your god Rephan,
and the images you made to worship them.
So I will send you into exile
as far away as Babylon.'"
— Acts 7:41-43 NLT

Key Thought

When Stephen's ancestors rebelled against Moses and built altars to idols and chased the stars as if they were gods, the Lord abandoned them. He promised and later fulfilled his promise to send his rebellious people into exile in Babylon. God was patient and forgiving. His people wore out his patience and ignored their need to be forgiven. The Lord God was displeased with his people and punished them to awaken their hearts back to him and his grace. There are always consequences of long-term rebellion and disobedience, and there is also punishment unless there is repentance. However, God fashions his discipline to correct, awaken, and return his people to him. Jesus is God's most complete demonstration of his longing to forgive and redeem those who will seek him.

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive me for chasing false gods and for selfish pursuits instead of honoring you. Please awaken me to your love and cover me with your grace as my heart and will run to you for forgiveness, shelter, and redemption. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 15:11-32
  • Hebrews 3:5-14

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Rejected Leadership, Rejected God
Devo: Unstoppable!
"[Stephen, in his defense before the council, emphasized how the Jewish ancestors had turned against Moses during their time in the Sinai wilderness:]...."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 7:41-43 NLT — [In his defense before the council, Stephen spoke of his rebellious ancestors and God's judgment on them:] "So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made. Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written, 'Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel? No, you carried your pagan gods — the shrine of Molech, the star of your god Rephan, and the images you made to worship them. So I will send you into exile as far away as Babylon.'"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 13, 2025

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'The Ultimate Net' (Mt. 13:47-50)
"[Jesus continued teaching about the Kingdom:] "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Luke 18:27
"Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God.""
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Challenging, But Joyous Fellowship'
"Dear Child of the King, You are royalty. However, your royal lineage is not established by your race, your culture, your language, your education, or..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ, the Stumbling Block' (Ga. 5:7-12)
"Dear Father, guarantor of freedom, Help me to run well! Help me not to be hindered from obeying the truth! Don't let me be persuaded by a viewpoint....."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!