In Acts 9:1-19, Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul, had an encounter with Jesus Christ. Saul’s life drastically changed that day as the purpose for his life came into line with the Kingdom of God. Not only did he meet Jesus on the road to Damascus, but for the first time he entered the will of God for his life. Minutes before his conversion, he was a tool in the hand of Satan to bring harm and destruction. But in a moment he became a vessel marked out to do Heaven’s business! In Acts 9:15-16 Jesus also revealed to Ananias God’s intention for his life, “But the Lord said unto him, ‘Go the way; for he (Paul) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.'”
Arise and Go Not Knowing the Full Plan of God
Although Paul was converted, he was unaware of how God would later use him. It was necessary for God to lead him, as He does all of us, step by step into greater clarity of His will. In Acts 9:5-6, we see more, “And he said, ‘Who art thou, Lord?’ and the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’ And he trembling and was astonished said, ‘What would you have me to do?’ and the Lord said unto him, ‘Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.'” Just as god gave Paul one step to take that would lead to other steps, so too, He speaks to us today in like manner. Many times we want the whole picture. But God often tells us to arise and go and more understanding will be given when we get there. We must be willing to arise and go!
Taking that Step of Faith
2 Corinthians 5:7 declares, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” The Weymouth Translation says, “For here I live by what I believe and not by what I see.” Walking by faith means we move not according to natural conditions, but by what God’s Word declares. What we see with our natural eye may seem like a mountain in our way, but when God commands to us action in His Word, we must take that step and watch the mountain move. It is not our right to consult with the circumstances to determine if we will move or not, but with the leading of the Spirit of God in our hearts. The Amplified Bible declares, “For we walk by faith (we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and diving things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk not by sight or appearances.” When that next step of God’s assignment is right in front of you, take the step of faith and watch His plan unfold and come to pass!
Moving By Divine Revelation
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 declares, “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” The CP Translation tells us, “Here is what the scriptures say: No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no human heart has grasped, the wondrous things which God Himself has shown to those who love Him.” The New Life Translation says, “God has shown these things to us through His Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who looks into all things, even the secrets of God, and shows them to us.” What the natural man cannot grasp, the spirit of man can, through the aid of the Holy Spirit in us. When our hearts grasp the supernatural leading of God, we can move by diving revelation. Our spirit man can grasp God’s leadings when our natural faculties cannot. When we move by the Spirit of God, success is sure to follow!
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