THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013
1 Kings 11:1–12:19
Acts 9:1–25
Psalm 131:1–3
Proverbs 17:4,5
“But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.
“Then Ananias wen to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and, after taking some food, he regained his strength.” (Acts 9:15–19a)
In Saul-turned-Paul, we may view God’s amazing transformative power. His mission begins with the goal of destroying the church:
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”
God then sends a vision of the Lord Jesus to Paul, Who points out that Paul’s actions have amounted to a persecution of Jesus. You may recall from our reading earlier this week in Acts 5:33–39. As a background, Peter and John had continued preaching in the temple courts, despite the Sanhedrin’s warning to refrain:
“When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: ‘Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.’”
Saul had studied assiduously under Gamaliel, and he would soon learn the truth embedded in this statement. Prior to his conversion on the Damascus road, Saul had tried to “stop these men” but now found himself “fighting against God.”
Although Saul could immediately offer testimony of the Lord’s visitation, the other believers approached him with skepticism, starting with Ananias. The church prudently wished to avoid unnecessary attention and persecution, but God’s actions and clear approval of this brother Saul would eventually soften their hearts. The Gospel message would receive a rich display through this man’s radical turn:
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15–17)
Saul’s conversion brought two thoughts to mind:
1. Blessedly, each Christ-follower may speak confidently of God’s personal intervention. We recognize that we have each fallen short of the glory of God. In our own strength, we have not achieved the holiness that God desires for us, but rather we have pursued selfish gain. Yet, by His grace through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, our hearts became inclined to seek repentance: both forgiveness and renewal. We may each speak of His providential care and His impact in our coming to know Him better. In short, we have a loving Father Who has not left us orphaned. Our testimonies portray a living One Who will never leave us or forsake us and to Whom we may submit everything.
2. The Kingdom of God truly stands apart by its contrasts. God has used the weak to shame the strong and the foolish to shame the “wise.” What man intended for evil – as in the case of Joseph’s brothers’ selling him into slavery or Saul’s murderous threats – God repositioned for massive Kingdom gain. So often, I center my spiritual seeking around learning what to expect, studying God like He follows a computer algorithm or machine-like process. Instead, His Personhood enables Him to grieve, love, and rejoice. While there may be uncertainty and flexibility, it lies in the hands of an ever-faithful Father.
“He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 17:5)
What a profound message in such a compact verse! Each person, created in God’s image, deserves respect as a valuable creation. We should not cheer at another’s misfortune or take pride in our blessings. As an extension, though their actions may cause us to grimace, difficult people still deserve our best efforts to display the love of Christ. When we find ourselves struggling with another’s action, we may step back and ask: How may I treat this individual in light of the good deposit placed in me? How may I overcome negativity with God’s help?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing work in the Apostle Paul, which has directly impacted us, even 2,000 years later. Thank You that Your power may transform the hardest hearts and that Your work continues to this day. Help us to see others with Your eyes and to believe and seek Your transformative grace for others and for ourselves. May Your Holy Spirit guide and empower us to testify to the truth. Change our hearts, O God, to follow hard after Yours. In Jesus’s mighty Name, Amen.
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