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Unstoppable! 'God Turned Away from Them' — Acts 7:41-43 Saturday, April 13, 2024 [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