“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.” Acts 9:17-19 (NIV)
Where Satan puts a period, God puts a comma.
Is there anyone whom God cannot change? Is there a person alive on planet earth without hope? God always has the final say. God is always at work. In fact, God works the night shift. While you were sleeping, God was working.
Saul received both spiritual sight and physical sight. He identified with Christ through baptism, ate, regained his strength, and then reconnected with the disciples in Damascus. Saul experienced the transforming power of God. God now wants Saul to become a transforming agent in the Kingdom of God.
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Cor 5:18-19 (NIV)
Do you currently have a Saul in your life? Is there someone close to you with whom you have been burdened for? Does someone near you need radical transformation? Are you willing to be involved in God’s process of removing the scales?
Place your “yes” on the altar. Make yourself available for God’s use. Pray for God to soften the heart of the one you are burdened for. Anticipate God’s invitation. Watch God do a redemptive work.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care