Acts 9:1-16 Saul Is A Chosen Instrument of Christ Jesus

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,  and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;  and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,  but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”  The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.  Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.  And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,  and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.”  But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;  and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”  But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;  for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

General revelation of God is when we witness the work of God in His creation.  Special revelation is when there is some form of first hand knowledge of God.  Special revelation was given to Adam in the garden, Abraham in his calling, Noah in the building of the ark and now a New Testament example where the Risen Christ appears to someone who He has chosen to bring the gospel to the gentiles.  This sort of revelation is overwhelming because it is first person knowledge of Jesus and His awesome power.  It is life-changing.  Yet all of us have this opportunity to be with him if we don't close our hearts to the truth.  And like with Saul, it is awesome and life life changing, so if you haven't already, open your heart to the Living Jesus Christ so that He can radically change you and use you.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, I have believed for sometime now.  I have experienced radical change for the better, but by Your work, continue to purify my heart so that I don't have any other desires apart from You.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.