“At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:1-8 NKJV
God of History,
History, if it is related as it happened, truthfully, can teach us a great deal. Especially Your history God. Here in the early church there is persecution, Stephen was put to death. So people scattered to remote places taking everything with them. Including their faith. Faith was not ‘scared’ out of them and it proved God was with them whatever happened. They had found the truth, met with Jesus and therefore You God, personally. Out of their suffering, disruption and fear came a incredible world changing outcome. Expansion.
The witness was spread throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria and where trade routes passed. The beginning of spreading the Word of Jesus across their known world and even beyond.
But at the time it was happening, I am sure they just saw the troubles of moving, finding a new place to settle and trying to earn a living. The difficulties of being a stranger in those places and finding other believers to gather with would be important. It still is when we move. I am not sure they would have seen Your big picture God. But one thing was for certain – they did not loose faith. When we cannot see what You are doing God, or things happen which seem to cause extra distress or trouble, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You God. To look for the good and the new and the stretching of our faith in our uncomfortableness.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Thursday 20th May 2025
Written in 1986. But a definite 2025 prayer.
Focus my eyes on You Oh Lord,
Focus my eyes nn You
To worship In Spirit and in truth
Focus my eyes on You
Turn round my life to You, Oh Lord
Turn round my life to You
To know from this night You’ve made me new
Turn round my life to You
Fill up my heart with praise, Oh Lord
Fill up my heart with praise
To speak of Your love in every place
Fill up my heart with praise
Lyrics: Ian White