1Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord's followers. He even went to the high priest 2and asked for letters to the Jewish leaders in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord's Way. 3When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, "Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?" 5"Who are you?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus," the Lord answered. "I am the one you are so cruel to. 6Now get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do."
7The men with Saul stood there speechless. They had heard the voice, but they had not seen anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, and when he opened his eyes, he could not see a thing. Someone then led him by the hand to Damascus, 9and for three days he was blind and did not eat or drink.
10A follower named Ananias lived in Damascus, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision. Ananias answered, "Lord, here I am."
11The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. When you get there, you will find a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. Saul is praying, 12and he has seen a vision. He saw a man named Ananias coming to him and putting his hands on him, so that he could see again."
13Ananias replied, "Lord, a lot of people have told me about the terrible things this man has done to your followers in Jerusalem. 14Now the chief priests have given him the power to come here and arrest anyone who worships in your name."
15The Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name."
17Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, "Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18Suddenly something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see. He got up and was baptized. 19Then he ate and felt much better. For several days Saul stayed with the Lord's followers in Damascus.
SWAT calls is "flash bang". Our Air Force calls it "shock and awe". Scripture calls it "Jesus". It's the overwhelming power and presence that changes our lives instantly. And, Paul experienced it up close and personal. It's like God can save anybody He wants to...
But Paul (Saul) was probably the perfect example of Jeremiah 29:13. He sought God with his whole heart. When that happens God will move heaven and earth to plan a meeting.
We know there were a lot of skeptics. Ananias was among them. Yet, they stepped out in faith and went to minister to Paul...very risky. All in all...the entire event was miraculous...
A.B. Simpson...on good authority...claimed Jesus is the same "Yesterday, today and forever". If that's true, one thing strikes me here: Am I skeptical of the "flash/bang" theory of salvation? or would I wag my finger and say it can't happen?
How I answer this question will influence how much God can use me in His design...
Live boldly out there today...
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