Daily Devotions

Acts 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.

What was it that caused Paul to increase in strength? First, Paul was submissive to God.
(Acts 9:5-6 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.) Second, Paul was obedient to God. Paul did not go home, did not turn to family, did not go to a doctor after he was stricken blind, he went where God sent him. (Acts 9:6 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.)
Paul was then active for the Lord, Paul began to serve, to preach Jesus Christ.
(Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.) Why would God strengthen Paul if Paul were going to do nothing for Him? As Paul was active in serving the Lord, the Lord then strengthened Paul spiritually for the work. I am convinced that there are more people who profess to know Jesus today who do nothing for Him than at any other time in church history. It seems that all most professing Christians want to do is complain about this or that while they do nothing for Christ. Paul was strengthened in great measure because he was willing to serve, to be involved in the work of the Lord. Why is it that so many are so spiritually weak? In great part because they refuse to be active in the work of the Lord.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 at 6:16 am and is filed under Daily Devotions. You can skip to the end and leave a response.