Acts chapter 6:8 says that Stephen was "full of grace and power" and was "doing great wonders and signs among the people." As we read a few more verses we see Stephen being seized by the people, the elders, and the scribes, and then being dragged into the council. Verse 15 says, "And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel."
I don't know about anyone else, but at this time in my "mature" Christian life, my face does not look like the face of an angel when I am being falsely accused. I can't imagine my response if I was being dragged off to court under false testimony by a crowd of angry "religious" folks.
Stephen was full of grace and power and doing great signs and wonders. It is wonderful when grace and power operate through us for "successful" ministry, but when we are FULL of grace and power, it will operate beyond our idea of "successful" ministry. Stephen remained full even when he was seized and dragged off to the council to face false accusations. The fullness of grace and power in him was reflected in an undisturbed, unoffendable spirit which made his face look "like the face of an angel."
God, fill us today with such an inward work of grace and power that it is reflected outwardly in every situation. Let the peace of God rule in our hearts that it may show and flow out of us. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, "God is not a God of confusion, but peace." God help us to grab ahold of this truth and apply it when life seems to be confusing. Lord, today I pray that grace and peace will be multiplied to us in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)
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