Read Acts 9
Scott Fogle
Acts 9:4-6
Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Imagine starting a journey with a clear goal in mind. Saul began his trip to Damascus with the goal of arresting and persecuting Christians, but his plan was interrupted by God. The same can happen to us. Sometimes, we are sure that we are on the right path, and then we have a personal encounter with God that can drastically change our journey. God had a plan for Saul despite his past, just as he does for us. (Jeremiah 29:11). Sometimes, we might not understand His plan or wish it were different, but He has a plan for us, nonetheless. How we respond after hearing from the Lord or when we have a personal encounter with Him is crucial to our becoming all that God has designed us to be.
Look at how this encounter turned Saul’s life around! He went from a persecutor of Christians to one of the most central figures of Christianity and the author of thirteen epistles in the Bible! He began the journey to Damascus as Saul, a Pharisee focused on persecuting Christians. However, as he continued his journey and followed what God told him to do, he gained a new kingdom identity as Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15)
God got Saul’s attention through the encounter but gave him his kingdom identity as he responded correctly to what he was told to do. Notice Jesus only told Saul what to do at that moment. This is usually how the Lord works. He tells us what to do one step at a time instead of laying out the details of His plan all at once. Therefore, we must be patient throughout our entire journey and continually ask the question: “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Application:
Saul’s encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus was astonishing and the beginning of an incredible journey. As spectacular as Saul’s personal encounter was, the Lord never intended for him to stay there. He still had to go into Damascus and do what the Lord told him to do. Let us follow Paul’s example and be patient as the Lord directs us one step at a time, and may we stay engaged in what God is doing in our lives by continually asking Him: “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Prayer Prompt:
Father, thank You for those special encounter moments and thank You for speaking to me and having a plan for my life. I desire to be all that You designed me to be and to respond correctly to the situations and circumstances that I will face in life. Give me ears to clearly hear Your voice so that I may continually stay engaged in the journey You have for my life! Lord, what do You want me to do?
