Today’s devotional: “How much he must suffer for My name’s sake”
Saul’s conversion to Christianity is one of those Biblical stories that I really wish the Bible expanded upon. How long was it before the Christian community fully embraced Paul as a fellow believer? How did Paul’s former peers react? The conversion account in Acts 9 gives us some interesting details, but it would be interesting to hear more about the Paul’s sinner-turned-saint process played out.
Anabel Gillham must share this curiosity about Paul’s conversion story, because in this devotional from Lifetime Guarantee Ministries, Anabel asks an intriguing question about the circumstances of his spiritual rebirth: did Paul know what he was getting into?
I wonder if Saul’s excitement kept him from grasping all that Ananias said to him? If you had been struck blind and then someone had come and touched you and the blindness leftyou really wouldn’t want to listen to someone preaching to youyou’d want to jump and pump hands and hug everyone around you! You would have been lifted out of the deep darkness of despondency into the glorious light of rejoicing!
If he did hear, I know he must have been shocked: “This man, Saul, is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel!” How wonderful! How exciting! What an awesome task the Lord had just given to himSaul! He was going to accomplish great and mighty things, which the Lord would bring about. He would have a nationwide ministry! He would appear before kings!
But wait. Ananais wasn’t through. He was saying something else–in a different tone of voice and his face was ashen: “I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Paul was destined to be a great hero of the faith, doing mighty works and great feats of evangelism in God’s name. But his initial invitation to the faith is shockingly blunt about what Paul’s choice will mean for him: suffering.
The Bible makes it clear that the spiritual blessings of service to Christ are often intertwined with suffering and trials experienced for His sake. Are you at a bleak point in your life, feeling very far from the victory that Christ promises us? Take comfort in the story of Paul, whose triumph in Christ was won alongside great difficulty.
One of the most beautiful things that Paul wrote was our present suffering is but for a moment. In the face of eternity even years are but a moment. But through it all, We can rejoice because of Christ who loves us. I and my Husband have been unemployed for almost two years now. We now have had to move in with our daughter to not be homeless. And yet maybe others are having it harder than us. I know I heard God say to me two short lines from old country songs in a new way. I AM LIVING ON LOVE, John 3:16 and nothing no not even unemployment and high taxes can separate me from the love of God. The other is MAKE THE WORLD GO AWAY as I lay my head on the shoulder of God and listen for His heart. And let the Holy Spirit speak of his love for me. That I am his treasure, his pearl of great price. I am the apple of his eye and everything that concerns me concerns him. The world starts to fade and then I start to speak and say what his word says about me. I am his own, I am his beloved. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am the head and not the tail. I am more than a conquer in Christ Jesus. I know as I speak these things though I maybe feeling kind of low and blue. My whole being will change for He is the Glory and the lifter of my head.
I can’t say I am suffering for Christ. But I know he is with me and I can rejoice in His Love. I can be a witness of His love and goodness to all. Rich or poor, I can say as Peter said Silver and Gold I don’t have but what I have I can give you. Jesus 365 days a year. He is my provider, my healer, he is my shelter and His Grace is indeed more than enough for everything.
Janice,
God Bless You. I’ve prayed for you and your husband. We are the body of Christ and we need each others prayers and support. If I listed all my current trials, I’ll be typing forever. But I rejoice each and every moment for I know Christ is with me as well.
I for one am in total agreeance as to the amount of time i would be typing . Its funny i was reading about the suffering of the people under the rule of Rehoboam his mother Naamah was not of faith his father ruled with a whip. And here we are about to be governed by a faithless woman the time of suffering will never cease yet our faith will always carry us forward . onward and upward God bless. John :o)