Unstoppable! 'Now a Target' — Acts 9:23-25

Saturday, May 16, 2026

After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill [Saul because he was proclaiming Jesus as Messiah]. They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.

— Acts 9:23-25 NLT

Key Thought

The incredible turnaround in Saul's life was soon complete. He had come to Damascus to arrest, persecute, and kill followers of Jesus. Then, through a divine revelation on the road to Damascus and through the ministry of Ananias, Saul met Jesus. He believed in Jesus as Messiah and Lord, Ananias baptized him, then helped Saul understand his call to share Jesus with all people. Saul, the mighty persecutor, was now a "basket case"! The fellow believers he had come to persecute helped him escape persecution himself. Grace sometimes has a sense of irony but always has a message of love, hope, and transformation!

Today's Prayer

O Father, thank you for the touches of irony and humor in the story of Saul's conversion. Thank you for the faith and courage of Ananias to risk his life and share Jesus with Saul. Thank you for being the God of surprises. You can take people we most fear and turn them into our friends and heroes of faith. Keep doing today what you did in Ananias' and Saul's day. I ask this in Jesus' name and for Jesus' glory. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

A Servant Who Changes Everything
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, A large part of the history of faith is written by people who are not considered the greatest servants of faith. However, the..."
Risk-taking & Faith-filled
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, What is the greatest obstacle that you face? What seemingly insurmountable forces are at work against you? Keep these two questions....."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 9:23-25 NLT — After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill [Saul because he was proclaiming Jesus as Messiah]. They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, May 16, 2026

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Don't Be Led in the Wrong Way' (1 Jn. 3:7-8)
"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you the wrong way. Christ is righteous. So to be like Christ a person must do what is right. The devil has been...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'The Legacy of John' (Jn. 10:39-42)
"Once again [the Jews] tried to arrest [Jesus], but he got away and left them. He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Through the Spirit' (He. 9:15)
"Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John Selden:
"'Twas an unhappy Division that has been made between Faith and Works; though in my Intellect I may divide them, just as in the Candle I know there is both Light..."

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.

More Unstoppable!