The Sovereignty of God on the Damascus Road: Saul's Prey Part 1

Previous Series Links:
The Sovereignty of God on the Damascus Road: Introduction
The Sovereignty of God on the Damascus Road: Saul's Past

Who did Saul hate?

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  ~Acts 9:1,2

The first installment of this series we began by looking at who the Apostle Paul was before his conversion on the Damascus road; the man Saul of Tarsus. The first verse of Acts chapter 9 begins by describing Saul’s state of mind; he is breathing threats and murder. I think it is important to note whom his hatred and murderous threats are directed against...

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,”

Saul hates Christians; the text here could not be more emphatic. Saul was determined to pursue and destroy the early church. He would go house by house, city by city looking for people of the Way, all for the purpose of taking them bound to Jerusalem and putting them to death.

But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.  ~Acts 8:3

Here is Paul’s own testimony before King Agrippa about his former persecution of the Church...

I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.  ~Acts 26:9-11

When Saul went from city to city searching for Christians to bind and return them to Jerusalem, what would he look for? In other words, what were the distinctions of those early Christians that enabled him to identify them as disciples of Jesus Christ? Who were these people of the Way; how would you characterize them?

The first thing to consider is Saul was looking for Jews. He was not after gentile believers as they made up only a tiny fraction of the church at this time. Saul was primarily after Jewish converts as evidenced by the fact he needed letters from the high priest to the local synagogues

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  ~Acts 9:1,2

So, Saul arrives into town and makes contact with the local Jewish leaders to inform them what he is doing and probably to gather information about who might be a Christian. He then begins his search and what does he look for? What sort of person catches his Christian hating eye? Jesus gives us a clue about these disciples of His...

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  ~John 8:31

The person Saul hates and wants to take bound to Jerusalem to be executed abides in the word of Jesus. The word “abide” is the Greek word μείνητε, which means “remain, continue, or stay” The point being a true disciple of Jesus Christ continues in His Word. At my house we call that “obedience”. The next installment we will review an example of a true disciple of Jesus Christ and why Saul might hate him so. Please read Acts chapter 7 and ask yourself if Saul found you during his early days, would he have taken you bound to Jerusalem?

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. ~Luke 14:33

Believing God

 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  ~1 Peter 1:18,19

There can be no doubt our salvation came at a great price. So great a price, that neither you nor I could afford to purchase it. We do not have what it takes to buy, trade, or barter for the redemption of humanity. Neither has there been anyone throughout history who had what it takes, with the exception of One. Since the price of redemption was the offering of sinless blood, God Himself in the person of Christ Jesus paid it all.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  ~Ephesians 1:7

It is true God's children have been redeemed and forgiven of sins by the offering of the Lord's sinless blood, but it is also true that it can be a hard message to understand and accept. Common sense tells us when someone does something wrong there are consequences to be faced. Even as children, when we were disobedient, there was within our souls a fearful looking for judgment and anticipation of punishment. How then are we redeemed from the judgment of our sin by one man's sacrifice? Exactly how does repentance and faith in the shed blood of Jesus make us children of God? How can God really declare the unrighteous... righteous? I don't know.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.  ~2 Corinthians 4:13,14

I don't pretend to understand everything God says or does, but I do believe everything He says or does. For some people it is crucial to understand the exact mechanics of salvation, they need to know and understand how exactly the shedding of innocent blood and believing on it's redemptive ability can prevent a person from being judged for sin. For some this process seems illogical and without any reason, but believing must come first. I write these devotionals, not because I always understand what God is saying, but because I believe what God is saying. His ways are hard to understand because He is God and we are not.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  ~Isaiah 55:8,9

The Bible says, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved... I believe. The Bible says, trust in the Lord with all your heart and not your own understanding and He shall direct your path... I trust. The Bible says the end of all things is at hand so watch for Him to return... I watch. The Bible says to go into all the world and preach the Gospel... I preach. Will you believe, trust, watch, and preach with me?

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!  ~Revelation 22:20

Desire for God's Word

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.  ~Psalm 119:48

There are times when the joy of knowing a gracious and merciful God fills one's heart to the point of overflowing and we lift up our hands towards heaven. Here in this verse, the psalm writer expresses that same kind of overflowing joy and his boundless love for the Word of God. Evidently, the Scriptures are a central part of his life and they receive more than a casual glance once or twice a week. Do we love God this much? Does His Word bring unspeakable joy to our hearts? Perhaps all we can find are burdensome commandments...

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.  ~1 John 5:3

Our love for God and His place in our lives can be measured by our attitude toward His Word. If all we can get out of reading the Bible is a list of burdensome commandments, then we must question our relationship with Him. If we truly love God, then we do not see a list of do's and don'ts within the pages of the Bible, but instead we find words of life and instruction unto righteousness.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  ~2 Timothy 3:16

The entirety of Scripture is inspired by God, every page, every sentence, every word. It is perfect instruction from a Holy God to a people lost and enslaved by sin. God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us the source of truth that will never change, but one which has power to change our hearts! His Word is like fresh clear water that cleanses us and revives our soul. Can you imagine trying to cross the desert without water? Take it one step further, do you bring the water with you, but only take a sip from it once or even ignore it altogether? The Word of God is an infinite source of life giving water and that is where we should find ourselves planted...

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  ~ Psalm 1:3

The lack of, or abundance of God's Word in our lives has a direct impact on our spiritual life and well-being. When we are Born Again, there should be a desire, a thirst for all God has to say. The Bible provides that spiritual water so we might drink daily, even moment by moment. Some of us however, have become spiritual camels, and only come to the water one day a week and go thirsty the other six. I pray God plants within you a greater desire for His Word and that you would search the Scriptures diligently to see if these things that I say are so. When once you begin to take in God's Word don't forget what is supposed to happen next...

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  ~James 1:22

The Sovereignty of Suffering

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”  ~Job 1:20,21


When calamity strikes and suffering intrudes upon our lives, it seems pointless, arbitrary, or even random. We are filled with anguish and despair over thoughts of “what if...” and “I should have...” all the while forgetting about a sovereign God. Your pain and suffering, your calamity and tragedy is neither pointless nor random. When Job lost everything he had, including all ten of his children, he recognized the sovereignty of God in all of these things.

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.  ~Deuteronomy 32:39

God is in control, period. People today however, do not have that sort of appreciation for the sovereignty of God in all things. It is the modern message of “your best life now” and “God wants you to be healthy, wealthy and happy” that lead people to conclude that suffering can not be part of God’s plan for His people. Rather, Satan is often blamed as the sole source of our suffering. This is not to say Satan does not inflict us, but as we see in the case of Job, Satan can only do what God allows. I can assure you, God has absolute sovereign control over all things, including pain and suffering.

Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?  ~Exodus 4:11

Who or what is behind all disease and disability? God says it is Him. That thought can be a hard pill to swallow, but to think otherwise calls into question God’s supreme authority over the universe. When tragedy and pain strike, people who do not recognize the sovereignty of God in suffering may question God’s goodness and reliability. When one supposes that it is God’s will that we always be healthy and wealthy and suddenly disease or poverty is knocking at the door, the temptation is to put God on trial and demand He give an account of Himself. Why then does a sovereign God allow suffering?

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.  ~James 5:10,11

James, speaking about patience and perseverance, uses the suffering of Job as an illustration. He relates to us that Job’s suffering was intended by the Lord. God has a reason for our suffering. Ultimately it is all for His glory and along the way faith is strengthened, disobedience is disciplined, saints are sanctified, and sin is rebuked. God, in His sovereignty, brings suffering into the lives of people so that good may come of it. Good stewards of suffering recognize the sovereignty of God in the very midst of it. After all, if we recognize the sovereignty of God in what is pleasant should we refuse to see the sovereignty of God in the suffering?

And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.  ~Job 2:6-10

Why I Love the Church (and you should too)

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ~1 Corinthians 12:12


It has been a little over a year since I crushed the end of my right thumb in a log splitter. Like most household accidents this one was precipitated by doing something I shouldn't have been doing and thinking I would only do it this once. Yeah... umm... right.

Needless to say my great idea ended up as a Saturday afternoon in the emergency room with a thumb full of pain and about 25% less muscle tissue. I can't even begin to describe the pain for you. It was intense, searing, crushing... did I say intense? But, as I look back on it all, the one thing the pain in my thumb brought to me the most was... focus.

When I removed my thumb from the logsplitter, pulled the glove off my hand, and a piece of meat that could choke a cat fell out, it was as if every part of my body came together in perfect unison. There was a clarity of thought and a sharpening of focus like none I had ever experienced before.

There was one goal and one mission; every fiber of my being was totally committed to this one purpose... to alleviate the suffering of this one tiny member... my thumb. A crushed thumb has the  ability to proclaim the body is one and when one member suffers, all suffer. It's too bad most Christians don't get that about the Church.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ~1 Corinthians 12:27

Think about it... All of us who call ourselves Christian are brought into, and made to be members of, one body. And I don't mean in a way like we all just joined the same softball team or have memberships at the local fitness center. We have been divinely and supernaturally united together by One Spirit. That truth has some implications behind it and it is worthy of some consideration and meditation.

I am going to spend some time writing about those implications and hopefully to show you why we should love the Church much more than our local sports team. Stay tuned...

Misplaced Hope

The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.  ~Psalm 33:16

When I think about some of the things I have counted on, or looked to for deliverance, I remember this verse and I am ashamed. All of us are easily impressed by the power of a large army, or the strength of an Olympic weightlifter, and for Christians, it seems, the allure of a legislative majority has become a powerful influence.

The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.  ~Psalm 33:17

In the days of old, battles were fought by large armies of men out in the open. The fighting was, for the most part, close in and sword against sword, spear against spear. For those who were privileged enough to ride into battle on a horse, there was the additional benefit of being up above most of the battle. Oh yes, and if things went bad for your side, you could more easily get away.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.  ~Psalm 33:18,19

The point in this psalm is there are a number of things we are easily impressed with and so readily depend on to aid us in times of trouble or conflict. But, as the psalmist points out, trusting in those things is a waste of time and their promise of deliverance is going to come up empty. Our hope would be better placed on the One who is merciful and capable of delivering even our souls.

Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.  ~Psalm 33:20

One of the distinctions that separate God’s people from the rest of the world should be our reliance upon the Lord. We ought to recognize that our deliverance, when it comes, is from God Almighty and not the might of our country, our own strength, or even some political party. Do you know why God is our deliverer and defender?

For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.  ~Psalm 33:21,22

The Sovereignty of God on the Damascus Road: Saul's Past

Previous Series Links:
The Sovereignty of God on the Damascus Road: Introduction

What was Saul like before his conversion?

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  ~Acts 9:1,2

When reading the narrative account from Acts chapter 9, we would do well to remember where Luke got this information. The Apostle Paul himself would have recounted these events for Luke to record, so in a sense Paul describes his own assessment of who and what he was before the day he met Christ. Let's begin this study by looking at the first part of verse 1:

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,”


This account begins by revealing what is in Saul's heart by describing his actions. He hates Christians. The word “still” makes an important distinction about Saul's demeanor towards believers, that is his attitude towards them on this day is just a continuing action from the past. He has been “breathing threats and murder” against them for some time now. Saul is first introduced in the seventh chapter of the book of Acts at the stoning of Stephen...

But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  ~Acts 7:57,58

The very next chapter Luke relates Saul was not only present at the murder of Stephen, but he was in agreement with it and inspired by it for more...

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.  ~Acts 8:1-3

The very idea of “breathing threats and murder” is how Paul would describe his own attitude towards Christians before his conversion. Threats and murder are what he drew his breath from and it sustained him. Finding and putting to death Christians is what got Saul out of bed in the morning! So then let it be noted on the day Saul met Christ while traveling the Damascus Road, before he repented of his sin and trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, his heart was filled with a hateful and murderous desire for Christians. Even up to the very moment of his conversion Saul was totally depraved, totally unable to know God on his own. Again, Saul's own words...

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.  ~Galatians 1:13

Saul had the heart typical of any unbeliever. Later, many years after his conversion, he wrote a letter to Christians in Rome and in it he describes every man, woman, and child before salvation...

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written:

None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands; no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good, not even one.
Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.

The venom of asps is under their lips.
Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.
Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. ~Romans 3:9-19

Years ago when I began studying the Doctrines of Grace and whether mankind was totally depraved, I came across this clear statement made by the Apostle Paul...

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. ~1 Corinthians 2:14

The point here is the “natural person” (unsaved) is incapable of accepting the things of God. It is not a matter of choice, but inability. In his book “What’s So Great About The Doctrines of Grace?” Richard Phillips said this...

Sin has corrupted man’s thinking in such
a way that people lack the ability to understand
the truth about themselves, God, and the world.

Saul was a typical man with an unsaved and unregenerate heart. He was ignorant of God and His Christ and in going about establishing his own fallen brand of righteousness, Saul lived for threats and murder of God’s people. What was Saul like before his conversion? He was totally depraved, totally unable to understand God and seek Him. Just like you... just like me.