Daily Reading: Acts 9
Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus... So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized. (Acts 9.8, 17-18)
Devotional Thought: Saul, under the control of his prejudice and hatred, did all he could to destroy this “sect of the Nazarene.” In order to get Saul’s attention, Jesus (the Nazarene!) had to “get rough” with him, striking him to the ground and blinding him.
This is a metaphor for how sinners come to Christ. Those under the control of sin find themselves struck down with nowhere to turn. They know that things are not right and that there is a better way. Yet they are blind to hope of a better life and are in despair. God called Ananias to go to Saul and tell him the truth of God's kingdom.
The Bible says we are to be like Ananias; we are to witness and to make disciples. I believe that we should take these mandates seriously and should do all we can to invite people to follow Jesus. I have found it true, however, that no matter how “good” I am at presenting the gospel if a person has not come to the point of conviction and desperation, there is no hope of them becoming a Christian. That is why prayer is the key element to soul-winning. We must pray that the Spirit prepares hearts for the clear preaching of the gospel and for the witness of God’s people.
Before Ananias went, the Spirit was at work – in Saul’s life and in Ananias’ life! Pray that he would be at work in your life to make you a witness today!
Prayer: Lord, grant me ears to hear your Spirit's voice, eyes to see the needs around me, feet to take me to where people are hurting, a heart to love them, and hands to reach out to them with hope. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 71:17-24
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
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