“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,” (Acts 7:55)
After preaching a convicting message, Stephen was attacked physically. Not only did they gnash on him with their teeth, they also began to stone him! I have preached to some tough crowds before, but thankfully that has never happened to me.
Stephen was facing the most intense trial he had faced in his life; so intense that it was literally about to take his life! But what is interesting is how he reacted in this trial. What was it that gave him victory in the midst of his valley?
FIRST—He was FULL of the Right Thing.
The Bible says that before his trial ever started, he was already “full of the Holy Ghost.” When you are in the middle of your trial is not the time to try and get right with God. You better be walking with God BEFORE your trial if you are going to have the victory.
SECOND—He was FOCUSED on the Right Thing.
Next, it says he “looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God.” When his circumstances started looking gloomy, he got his eyes on God’s glory! The reason many do not have victory in their trial is because they are more focused on their trial than they are on Jesus.
Stephen “looked up steadfastly,” meaning his eyes were fixed, focused, and fixated on Jesus Christ. And when he saw Jesus in His trial, it reminded Him that God was still in control!
Are you facing a trial this morning? If so, what are you looking at? If all you focus on is your trial, then it will become bigger than your God. Look up and get a glimpse of Jesus in your trial and then you will realize He is still in control!