This story has always astonished me because it’s as though I was there and saw the whole thing. There are many points in this story worthy of discussion and meditation. However there is one particular point that reminds me of the modern day church.
Because of the sound of God’s voice in Genesis 1:3 saying “Let there be light” the world was created. The same sound and light that approached Paul as he was on the road to Damascus one day was no less creative. As the world was in chaos before God spoke to it, so Paul’s life was in chaos before God spoke to him.
God has the ability to speak a word to an individual in a crowd and nobody else hears the word except that individual spoken to. Such was the case with Paul. Those who were with Paul that day saw the light that Paul saw, but did not hear the voice that Paul heard.
In today’s setting it might look like this. There are those who love to go to a lively church service and be captivated by the light of God’s presence, but often times leave without hearing His voice. This of course is not meant to imply that we’re not to enjoy the soaking and healing presence of the God in a church service. As a matter of fact there are few things more thrilling or needed in our church services today than that of seeing the light of God at work.
The point I’m trying to make is, just because you see the light doesn’t mean you heard the sound of His voice.
Several years ago I met a man who went to the largest Baptist Church in our town. The man kept looking at me…and finally said, “I see a light on you, you should be a preacher.” We had just met, so he had no way of knowing I was one. With that comment I said, “I want to pray for you.” I laid my hands on him and prayed. When I finished he got up and left and I never saw the man again.
However I was able to keep up with him through a friend. The man’s life was so transformed that he was no longer a lazy employee, which by the way really astonished his employer. I was also told that his wife didn’t even recognize him as the same man. His church wondered what had happened to him because he was so on fire for God. I kept up with this man for several months and he remained a changed man. That day—he both saw the light and heard the sound— and his life was changed as Paul’s life was changed. We too must be seekers of the light and sound.
Father,
I not only want to be blinded by your light but I particularly want ears to hear the sound of your precious voice. I desire to walk daily in the newness of life as Paul did, without regard to the suffering that may come as a result of that walk. Thank you Lord for this wonderful story of light and sound.
Amen
And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. Acts 22:7-12 ASV
Apostle John Dean Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved
Alliance International Ministries