DON'T LET THE LORD GOD HAVE TO KNOCK YOU DOWN TO GET YOUR ATTENTION

Proclamation:

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and he heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’  ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.  ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.”  Acts 9:3-5 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that Saul was present when they stoned Stephen. (Acts 7:57-58)  After that Saul went from house to house hauling believing men and women to prison. (Acts 8:3)  Then Saul went to the high priest and requested letters authorizing him to arrest any believers he found in Damascus and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2)  He was on his way to Damascus when The Lord God knocked him to the ground, spoke to him, and blinded him. (Acts 9:3-9)  After three days, The Lord God told Ananias to lay his hands on Saul to restore his sight.  Ananias was reluctant because of Saul’s reputation but did as The Lord God told him and Saul regained his sight. (Acts 9:9-18)

Application:

Saul was a zealous persecutor of believers until he had an encounter with The Lord God on the road to Damascus.  The Lord had to knock him down and blind him in order to get his attention.  He became a believer after that encounter with The Lord.  Like the Apostle Thomas who would not believe that Christ rose from the dead until he saw proof for himself, (John 20:25-29) Saul did not believe until he had a personal experience with The Lord.  Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)  Don’t let The Lord God have to knock you down in order to get your attention.  If we hear His voice, we ought to invite Him into our lives and obey Him. (Revelation 3:20)  Many of us need to turn our lives around and follow Christ.  Believers still sin, but sometimes we get caught up in our sinful ways.  The Lord God has called us to repent, and to follow Him.  He said that if we humble ourselves, and pray, and turn from our wicked ways, He will heal our situation. (2 Chronicles 7:14)