[I have written over 3100 devotions since 2011. Now and again, I will revive one of them - changing the format or some of the words. I first wrote what follows in July 2016 - 8 years ago - As I refreshed it, I realized that I could have written it this morning remembering what King Solomon wrote - "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 1:9]
He said, "Who are You, Lord?" —Acts 9:5
“Through the miracle of redemption, Saul of Tarsus was instantly changed from a strong-willed and forceful Pharisee into a humble and devoted bondservant of the Lord Jesus. People begin coming to God once they stop being religious, because there is only one master of the human heart— Jesus Christ, not religion. But “Woe is me” if after seeing Him I still will not obey (Isaiah 6:5, also see Isaiah 6:1). Jesus will never insist that I obey. But when I [obey], I am backing away from the recreating power of His redemption. It makes no difference to God’s grace what an abomination I am, if I will only come to the light. But “Woe is me” if I refuse the light (see John 3:19-21). My Utmost For His Highest
Saul or Paul was really no different than the fanatic Muslims of today. Jewish Christians were an abomination to God, as far as Paul understood it. And so, he helped in their killing and imprisonment. Thinking he was pleasing God in doing so. He would go from city to city to seek them out. But then, one day, he met Someone on the road to Damascus Who radically changed the course of his life forever.
There is so much trouble in this world today. People expect mere mortals to do what only Jesus, the master of the human heart, can do. People expect other people to do what does not come naturally to the lost … to show grace, mercy, acceptance, justice, and love toward others. But “Jesus is the answer for the world today. Besides Him there is no other. Jesus is the way.” Whether it is social injustice or racial discord on the world stage, the root cause is the same. It is a problem of the heart. Don’t expect good water to come from a bad spring. (James 3:11) Don’t let the events in the world today surprise you. What you see at work is the sinfulness of man. Why do we need a police force? It is certainly not because everyone loves God and each other. No, it is because there is evil in the world, and that evil is pervasive. And sometimes evil even shows itself in those who have sworn to protect us from evil.
There is much said in the Bible about the importance of obedience. Obedience is a reflection of a heart submitted to God and a life empowered by God. The problems you see in this world are not going away until there is a heart change. But there will never be a heart change in everyone. So, the unavoidable conclusion is, that until Jesus returns, this turmoil that we see will continue.
Does that mean we give up? No. It means that we continue preach the Truth, we live in a way that proclaims there is a better Way. We fulfill our purpose. This world will not be saved, but some in the world will be. I had lunch with a friend the other day and he mentioned the story about the boy who was tossing starfish back in the ocean, one at a time. If you have met Jesus along the way, like Paul, you must go and tell others, one at a time. And in the telling, Christ is being lifted up, and somehow, the Spirit uses that, as part of the salvation of some. There is an old spiritual that goes; “If we ever needed the Lord we sure do need Him now. We sure do need Him now. Oh Lord, we sure do need Him now. If we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need Him now, we need Him every day and every hour.” Show the world what Jesus looks like, be a light in this dark place, to the glory of God.
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." - Psalm 42:5
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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