Hearing the truth

“‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.”

Saul of Tarsus had been given permission to go to Damascus and identify those who had professed Jesus as the Messiah. He was to bring them back in chains and put them in jail. Saul was an educated man traveling with high-level credentials, and at least some of his traveling companions would have been educated men, too. But somewhere along the road between Jerusalem and Damascus, Jesus blinded him with a great light, knocked him off his horse, and changed his itinerary. “My companions saw the light, too,” he says, “but they didn’t understand the voice that was speaking to me.” We’re given no explanation for this, but I imagine Saul must have been the only one whose heart was softened enough to be changed at that time. That’s something I pray for myself, and for you, as well—that we will be open to hear God’s voice when He speaks and willing to change in whatever ways He asks us.

THINK ABOUT IT

Paul’s zeal and identification, though critically misguided, was completely committed to the God of Israel, which opened a door of opportunity for him to be transformed and recommissioned by Jesus, Himself.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of hearing Your voice. Help me open my ears and heart more fully to cooperate with Your truth, purposes, and plan. Help me live for You wholeheartedly and single-mindedly, willing to change as You lead me. In Jesus’ name, amen