God’s surprising plan for Saul shows us that He can shape and mold any person to fulfill His plan for humanity. Saul was a strict Pharisee and a persecutor of believers until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus came as a bright light shining on Saul and his companions. Acts 9: 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting![1]
As Saul rose from the ground, he realized he was blind, and his friends led him into Damascus by his hand. It must have been humbling for Saul to learn his theology was wrong and Jesus was the Messiah. In God’s grace, He sent a believer named Ananias to pray for Saul so that he could regain his sight.
After regaining his vision, Saul was baptized and began a new chapter. Saul did not know how far he was from God until Jesus intervened. Later, he humbly reflects on his conversion. 1 Corinthians 1:9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.[2]
God had a New Plan for Saul
Have you ever been going in one direction, and God interrupted your life and set you on a different path? After encountering Jesus, Saul preached in synagogues to reach his own people. Then, God did something unexpected. Acts 22:17 “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 18 I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’ [3]
In times of prayer, God often gives us discernment and direction and, sometimes, what we don’t expect. Acts 22:19 “ ‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’ 21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’ ” [4]
God told Ananias, who prayed for Saul to receive his sight, His plan for Saul. Even though he was Jewish, God would send him to the Gentiles. The text does not say if Ananias told Saul what God said, but it does confirm what God told Ananias.
The Lord Says Go
God answered Saul’s prayer in an unexpected way. Sometimes, we are surprised when God answers our prayers so clearly, and then we must move forward in faith in God’s strength. Placing his faith into action, Saul, who we know as Paul, became the greatest missionary of the first century.
Are you praying for the Lord’s direction today? Don’t be surprised if the Lord gives clear directions requiring you to act on your faith. Action requires faith and looking to God for His strength because we are weak clay vessels. To learn more about God’s surprising plan for Saul, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/from-persecutor-to-preacher
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.