Luke the physician wrote how, “Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks”, and in chapter nine and verse six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Saul asked, “Lord, what will you have me to do?” where we read:
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do?
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.
The verse begins, “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do?” Luke began with the words, “and he trembling” which means “and Saul was afraid, in dread and feared” “and astonished said” or “and terrified and frightened uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “Lord” which means “One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”, “what will you have me to do” or “what do you, Jesus, have in mind, intend and have delight and pleasure in me, Saul, to produce or perform”? Luke shared how “Saul” was shaking and extremely afraid as he asked the “Lord Jesus” what He wanted him to do.
The verse goes on to say, “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.” Luke continued with the words, “and the Lord” which means “and the One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “said unto him” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Saul”, “arise, and go into the city” which means “rise up, stand forth and proceed into the dwelling place, habitation or town”, “and it shall be told you” or “and an uttered sound or tone of words will disclosed to you, Saul” “what you must do” which means “what you, Saul, need to bring forth, cause, fulfill and perform”. Luke shared how “Jesus” instructed “Saul” to travel into the city of Damascus, and there he would receive further instructions concerning what the was to perform.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn the effect the “brilliant light” and the “voice” had upon “Saul”. He became exceedingly afraid, and with a “trembling” voice asked what “the Lord” would have him to “do”. Jesus answered him with one instruction and a promise when he followed it. “Saul” was to “go into” Damascus, and there he would receive what he would do next. Step by step the Lord Jesus was transforming “Saul”, who previously “threatened” and wanted to kill the believers in Jesus, and now “Saul” was asking Him what he wanted him to do. God loves people, and regardless of how much they oppose Him and His ways, He desires to have a relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Those who examine the transformation within “Saul” should see the purpose and determination of God the Heavenly Father to “save” anyone who humbles themselves before Him.
Next time Luke shares how, “the men which journeyed with him stood speechless”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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