Saul was also on a roll. He was focused upon stamping out “The Way”, the popular name for the early church. Saul attacked the church with a vengeance, jailing, killing, and decimating the believers throughout Jerusalem. He heard the church was growing in Damascus, so with the blessing of the Jewish leadership, He set out with a band of enforcers to wreak havoc in that community as well.
Saul had his plan, he had written permission from the Jewish Council, but Paul had no idea what he was about to encounter–Jesus! On the road, Jesus stopped Paul with a bright light from Heaven. The band of people that were with Paul heard the voice but could see nothing. Paul, however, came face to face with Jesus. In that moment, Saul was changed. Paul had been intent on vindicating God from this cheap imposter–then, Paul met Jesus. He saw Jesus was no impostor–He was God! Paul’s life purpose to Help God out had been the opposite. He was attacking God’s chosen! Paul now faced the reality that he had been the sworn enemy of the very God he set out to avenge.
The meeting was dramatic and left Paul blind and completely changed. As his troop took him into Damascus, neither Paul nor anyone else had any notion on what would happen next. Suffice it to say that God was about to change the Jewish poster boy into the most prolific evangelist in church history. As usual, God decided to take the least likely candidate for a job and do exceedingly, abundantly, more than anyone could hope or believe.
That is how our Lord works. He takes those the world would not expect and uses them to change lives and build His kingdom. When He does, the result is dramatic. What is more, He is glorified in the process. There is never a doubt that our Lord’s hand was in the plan. That is why we must always be ready to seek God’s plan and humbly follow. God will always take our humility and submission and turn it into amazing, miraculous impact on the world around us. We simply must remain available and teachable.
God Bless You
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men, or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 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. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Walking With God 