Neville Turley

“… ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ and the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that God has determined for you to do.” Acts 22:10 (GNT)

Paul was a well-educated Pharisee who had studied under Gamaliel, a widely respected teacher of the law. Paul’s intellectual capabilities was recognised by the Jewish hierarchy who held him in much esteem.

Paul, then still known as Saul, was on his way to Damascus with letters of introduction from the High Priest and Council. His remit was to arrest all Jews who were followers of Jesus and bring them in chains to Jerusalem, for punishment.

Then on the way Paul is confronted by the Lord and dramatically converted. Our verse for today describes Paul’s immediate reaction and our Lord’s response. 

Our conversion may not have been as traumatic as Paul, who was temporarily blinded by the experience. No doubt our minds are also not as razor sharp as Paul’s was.  He immediately reacted to his conversion by saying: “What shall I do, Lord?”.

Our Lord did not answer Paul’s question himself. Instead he told him to go into Damascus where he would be told about God’s plan for him.

The Bible tells us that God has a plan for each and every one of his elect. "God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

Jesus himself said, he did not come to be served but to serve.  We too are not here to be served but to serve.  God has richly blessed us.  We should give generously of our time, talents and money.

Some readers of verse-a-day already do so by making the Word of God available through the Bible-a-Month Club, sponsored by the Bible Society.  In doing so they put the Bible in the hands of people who are hungry for the Bread of Life.

They are Sowers of Hope.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings.  May the Holy Spirit guide us in determining your will for our life.  This we ask in Jesus name.  Amen