October 16, 2008 - Acts 7:37

“’This is that Moses who told the Israelites, “God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.”’” Acts 7:37.
Moses, overcoming his early weaknesses, was revered as the prophet of God who was sent to deliver the Hebrew people and to make them into a nation. Stephen recounts to his audience that Moses clearly informed the Israelites that another prophet would rise up who would be “like” Moses. In other words, there may be many prophets who will come along in Israel’s history, but there will only be one other who should be revered at least as much as, if not more, than Moses. Stephen’s Hebrew audience certainly knew that this reference to Moses’ quotation was a reference to the coming Messiah, the Chosen One of God. In speaking to this Hebrew leadership audience, Stephen was pointing to the hope that they were to still look for and could now find.
Interestingly enough, that same hope is alive for us, as well, today! But instead of us having to wait for this Chosen One to appear, many of us believe that He has already come in flesh and blood in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. And He is the one that continues to give us hope today through the person of the Holy Spirit, who is present within every follower of Jesus and who provides comfort in the middle of all of the storms that we face.
Questions to consider: In the midst of all of the economic storms and uncertainties, where is your hope? Are you allowing God to “come along side” – to come into your life – to give you the hope that you need in these times? Do you believe that the “prophet” that Moses spoke of so long ago has come and that He desires for you to know His peace and hope in these uncertain times?
Prayer: Father, I believe that You have sent the Prophet – Jesus, and I receive Him, as my Lord, fresh today. I need the hope that only He provides to face the uncertainties of our world. Please fill me fresh with Your Spirit that I may follow You, whether in good times or bad. Amen.