Brother Saul

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our devotional today titled Brother Saul was written by James Banks. Lord, please send me anywhere but there. That was my prayer as a teenager before embarking on a year as a foreign exchange student. I didn't know where I would be going, but I knew where I didn't want to go. I didn't speak that country's language, and my mind was filled with prejudices against its customs and people, so I asked God to send me elsewhere. But God, in his infinite wisdom, sent me precisely where I asked not to go, and I'm so glad he did. Forty years later, I still have dear friends in that land. When I got married, my best man Stefan came from there.

When he got married, I flew there to return the favor, and we're planning another visit soon. Beautiful things happen when God causes a change of heart. Such a transformation is illustrated by just two words in Acts chapter 9. Brother Saul. Those words were from Ananias, a believer God called to heal Saul's sight immediately after his conversion. Ananias resisted at first because of Saul's violent past, praying, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people. But Ananias was obedient and went, and because he had a change of heart, Ananias gained a new brother in faith. Saul became known as Paul, and the good news of Jesus spread with power.

True change is always possible through him. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Acts chapter 9 verses 10 through 19. Lord Ananias answered, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem, and he has come here with authority from the chief priest to arrest all who call on your name. But the Lord said to Ananias, Go, this man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

I will show him how much he must suffer for My name. Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. Let's pray. Jesus, thank you for changing our hearts with your love. Would you help us to extend it to others and may they be open to receive it as well? Thank you, Lord. It's in your name that we pray. Amen.