Reflection
Today's readings present powerful stories of God's sovereignty and humanity's response to it. In 1 Samuel, we see the Philistines returning the Ark of the Covenant after experiencing God's judgment, followed by Israel's demand for a king despite Samuel's warnings. In Acts 7, Stephen delivers a passionate historical account of God's faithfulness to Israel, culminating in his martyrdom as he boldly confronts religious leaders with their resistance to the Holy Spirit.

The key insight we can draw from these passages is this: God's sovereign plan unfolds despite human resistance, and He calls us to trust His leadership rather than conforming to worldly patterns or rejecting His messengers.

Let's break this down into a simple principle we can apply:

Choose faithful trust in God's ways over conformity to worldly patterns or rejection of His truth.

Here are five practical steps we can take to apply today's readings:

1. Examine your life: Where might you be rejecting God's leadership in favor of "being like everyone else" as Israel did?

2. Honor God's presence: The Philistines and Israelites learned about respecting God's holiness. How can you show proper reverence for God's presence in your life today?

3. Study redemptive history: Stephen's speech showed deep knowledge of God's work throughout history. Commit to learning more about how God has worked throughout time.

4. Speak truth courageously: Stephen boldly spoke truth despite the consequences. Where might God be calling you to speak truth with courage?

5. Forgive offenders: Like Stephen who prayed for his killers, choose to forgive someone who has wronged you today.

As you go about your day, reflect on this question: How can you demonstrate greater trust in God's sovereignty and leadership in your life, especially in areas where His ways differ from cultural norms?

Conclusion
Thank you for joining me today. These passages remind us that God remains sovereign even when humans reject His leadership. Like Stephen, may we have the courage to remain faithful to God's truth, even when it's unpopular. Until tomorrow, may you walk in faithful obedience to God's leadership in your life.