Paul’s Conversion

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. Acts 9:1-9

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12

Saul, soon to be called Paul, one of those who approved of the stoning of Stephen, was on his way to Damascus to capture more people and put them in prison for believing in the name of Jesus. On his way to find people who loved Jesus, Saul had the opportunity to meet Jesus personally. Jesus asked him why he persecuted Him. Saul asked who He was and God said that He was Jesus. Then Saul, now convinced that Jesus was real, asked what he should do? Jesus told him to go on into the city of Damascus and it would be told him what he should do. Saul was in the city three days and had been blinded by the brightness of the glory of Jesus. For three days Saul was fasting and praying and in deep sorrow for what he had done to the followers of Jesus, Whom Saul now accepted as real. Soon Saul would be taught his duty.

Prayer for Today: Father in heaven, You know the things we have done in our history on Earth. We have done most everything that can be done but sadly it was on the evil end of the spectrum. Today we ask for Your grace, like Saul. Forgive us for our ignorance, and forgive us for our downright evil behaviors. Help us to know what You would have us to do. Give us the time and opportunity and the awareness to feel sad and sorry as to how we have treated You in the person of Your children, and then help us to accept Your forgiveness. Thank You for Your love.