Blind But Now I See

Paul gave us a wonderful example of how we should respond to the mercy that God extends to us in his account in Acts Chapter 9. Pray that we will be just as obedient when we hear his voice, and thank God for his amazing grace!

ACTS 9

1 MEANWHILE SAUL, [a]still drawing his breath hard from threatening and murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 And requested of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus [authorizing him], so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way [of life as determined by faith in Jesus Christ], he might bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.

3 Now as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him,

4 And he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me [harassing, troubling, and molesting Me]?

5 And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. [b]It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]. [Let a man examine himself]

6 Trembling and astonished he asked, [Lord, what do You desire me to do]? The Lord said to him, But arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.

7 The men who were accompanying him were unable to speak [for terror], hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Then Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. [Lord give me sight to see through Your eyes]

9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank [anything]. [Lord teach me to fast and pray]

10 Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he answered, Here am I, Lord. [Lord make me a willing vessel]

11 And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying [there].

12And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.

13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem;

14 Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call upon Your name. [Lord strengthen me to do your will]

15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel; [I am a chosen instrument of the Lord]

16 For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name's sake.

17 So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. [Lord fill me with your Holy Spirit]

18 And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul's] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized, [Thank you Lord for allowing me to see and know the truth]

19 And after he took some food, he was strengthened. For several days [afterward] he remained with the disciples at Damascus.

20 And immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, saying, He is the Son of God! [Lord let me proclaim who you are, let me lift up Your name so others will be drawn to You]

21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, Is not this the very man who harassed and overthrew and destroyed in Jerusalem those who called upon this Name? And he has come here for the express purpose of arresting them and bringing them in chains before the chief priests.

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound and put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing and examining evidence and proving that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah).

23 After considerable time had elapsed, the Jews conspired to put Saul out of the way by slaying him, [I will lay down my life for you Lord]

by Minister Cheryl Jenkins