Have you ever been in a desperate situation where prayer was the only option? In our story of Saul, he had been blinded by the Lord. He thought he was doing God’s will only to find out that he was not.
Saul remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. [1] Acts 9:10-11.
There are times in life where hopelessness looms on the horizon. It’s a deep dark time. Fresh on the heels of hopelessness is desperation. Have you ever been there? I have. Your situation is so hard that it seems as if there is no end in sight. Psalm 83:2, says, “O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God.” [2]
Have you ever cried out to God for mercy? I certainly have, several times. As you read the story of Saul from Acts 9, he was really seeking the Lord’s mercy. He had done wrong and he knew it.
There is one type of prayer for mercy that God always answers. That is the prayer for forgiveness through Jesus. Through his death on the cross, Jesus has made it possible. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [3] Romans 10:13.
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 57:2, “ I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. [4] God had a plan for Saul’s life, but it took God’s intervention for that to unfold. I don’t believe we are any different.
God has a purpose for your life. Saul, later known as Paul, knew that God had a purpose for his life and that God would help him fulfill that purpose. Our task is to, like Saul is to respond to God’s call and obey Him.
To hear the story of the Divine Intruder and Saul, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-the-divine-intruder/the-divine-intruder-and-saul
[1, 2, 3, 4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 9:9–11, Psalm 83:1, Romans 10:13, Psalm 87:2). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.