One Year Bible: Day 162 - 2 Samuel 16:15-18:18; Acts 7:20-43; Psalm 72:1-20

How are we to die? This is an important question. There’s a difference between dying in shame and dying in glory. The death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18) is a shameful death. The death of Stephen (Acts 7) is a glorious triumph. Stephen’s death is preceded by a mighty proclamation of God’s Word. Stephen affirms God’s faithfulness to His people down through the generations. We might sum up Stephen’s great message in the words of Psalm 72:18-19 – “Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvellous deeds. Praise be to His glorious Name for ever; May the whole earth be filled with His glory.”  Stephen’s message is full of thanksgiving for the past. His death proclaims hope for the future.