Unstoppable! 'Blinded' — Acts 9:4-9

Friday, May 10, 2024

[Saul] fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?"

"Who are you, lord?" Saul asked.

And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone's voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

— Acts 9:4-9 NLT

Key Thought

Saul, whom we know later as the apostle Paul, was truly impacted by encountering the living Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, on the road to Damascus. All of Saul's efforts in his previous years were wasted in terms of his objective of eradicating Christianity; his efforts were hostile to God and to God's plan to redeem the lost world. After encountering Jesus, Saul realized that he needed help in knowing the right way to go (Acts 22:9-10). He was blinded physically, as he had been metaphorically while persecuting Christians. He did not eat or drink for three days. He knew he needed a complete re-orientation for his life and was ready to wait for God to point him in the right direction. He knew he could not fix himself. Do I?

Today's Prayer

O God, I cannot order my priorities or live my life or make good use of each day without your grace, Jesus' goodness, and the Holy Spirit's guidance. I offer my heart to you to be led by your Spirit as I seek to live for Jesus in my world — not just today, but every day. I long for your help to live your way. In Jesus' name, I ask for this help. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Chronicles 27:6; Psalm 50:23; James 4:13-17
  • Psalm 23:1-6, 51:10

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 9:4-9 NLT — [Saul] fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone's voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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