Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans not to harm you but to bring you a future and a hope.

 

Our study in the Book of Acts has brought us to the day that Jesus attacked Saul on the Road to Damascus and knocked him to the ground. As intelligent, educated, and powerful as Saul was, he proved to be no match for Jesus. When the Glory of the Lord came upon him, Saul didn’t know what hit him.

 

He did, however, know it was some sort of Divine Power because as he lay on the ground the Voice of God spoke to him and called him by name. And he fell to the earth, and heard a Voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? In that instant, Saul knew he was in the Presence of God but he asked, Who are you, Lord?

 

Saul didn’t think he had been persecuting God. He thought he had been doing the work of God by arresting and killing those who believed in Jesus. Therefore, Jesus’ answer to his question must have brought Saul to his knees in guilt and shame. He had devoted his life to destroying as many believers as he could and now he sat on the ground speaking to One he had worked so hard to destroy. When Saul asked, Who are you? Jesus answered I am Jesus whom you persecute:

 

Many people have had similar salvation experiences, especially those saved out of Islam which treats Christians much like Saul did. It is not uncommon for Christians to be beheaded by Muslims just because they believe in Jesus. This happens every day in Muslim nations but God does have a way of reaching these people and it is often through dreams and visions. Enter “Muslims convert to Christianity” in your search engine and you will find such testimonies. The following link is one example that closely resembles what happened to Saul on the Road to Damascus. https://youtu.be/kcXGQX-LPPM

 

I believe as Saul lay on the ground face to face with Jesus Christ, he had to be thinking about all the Christians he had arrested and killed. He had to remember the last prayer of Stephen while he lay dying on the ground after being stoned. Stephen said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord lay not this sin to their charge. (Acts 7:60)

 

Saul’s days of kicking against the goads were over. He surrendered his life to Christ that day and God used him, unlike any other Christian in the New Testament. God had formulated His plan for Saul’s life long before he was even born. That fateful day on the Road to Damascus, God turned the page on a new chapter in the life story of this man named Saul.

 

Surrender and He will…...….turn the tide……..in your life too.

 

Surrendered,         Doreen

 

www.bettsministries.org