Daily Devotions
July 8th, 2013 by Pastor SolleyActs 9:19-22 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Here we have Saul Tarsus soon after his conversion on the Damascus road. The Bible tells us he received meat and was strengthened in verse 19 and soon after that met with the disciples and began to preach Christ. In verse 22 of our text this morning we find that Saul continued to increase his strength and with that began to confound the Jews, proving that Jesus was and is the Christ. Saul who we know as Paul the Apostle was used of God in a mighty way, perhaps to win more people for Christ than any man who has ever lived, God is in charge of those numbers. What we find with Paul is this, a great spiritual strength, the longer he went on it seems the stronger he became in the Lord, he “Increased the more in strength”. What was the key to Paul becoming stronger in the Lord? There are a few things we see in this passage and a few other things that we will look at over the next few days that reveal the secret to Paul’s strength. Notice what took place when God spoke to Saul on the Damascus road. – Acts 9:4-6 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 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. 6 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. – As soon as he was save Paul began to seek the will of God for his life. “What wilt thou have me to do” is the first thing Paul asked of Jesus Christ. This once proud Pharisee took a place of submission to the plan and purpose of God for his life. From this point on it was not what Paul wanted out of life but what God wanted out of him. The first step in being strong is being humble. Before this there may not have been anyone who cold tell Paul what to do, not even the High Priest. But now Jesus Christ was the High Priest of his life and Paul would be submissive to Him. The first step in being strong is being humble. How submissive are you to God and His will for your life?