Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Acts chapter 9:13-19a:
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Acts chapter 9:13-19a:
V13-14: Ananias for a moment protests – small wonder – he has heard of Saul as a persecutor who has come to Damascus to attack the church there, with authority from the chief priests – which Saul himself had sought, of course ( v1-2).
V15: But the Lord tells Ananias how Saul is His sovereignly chosen instrument for a great gospel ministry, preaching the Name of Jesus – the name he had previously hated – to both Jew and Gentile, and even before kings! Paul expresses his wonder at such undeserved grace in Galatians 1:13-16, but again, so should we all.
V16: From the very first, Saul will be told that his service for Christ will involve great suffering for His sake. Acts will show something of this, and some references in Paul’s letters will give more detail – especially 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. As the verses before us show, nothing that happens to Paul – or to us – is outside of God’s plan and purpose – He knows!
V17: Ananias goes to Saul as Christ has directed, lays his hands on him – calling him, note ” brother Saul” – his doubts are gone – telling him Jesus has sent him to restore his sight – and that he might be filled with the Holy Spirit!
V18-19a: At once “something like scales” – human language seeking to explain something beyond normal human experience – fall from Saul’s eyes and he can see again – see what he has never seen before, of course, that Jesus Christ is indeed Lord.
At once he is baptised, and only then does he break his fast, and is immediately strengthened.