#107 “Great Intercessors of the Bible”

 Saul –of Tarsus (Paul)

Humble, Asked for or Prayed for) Pt.2

 “The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord." 
The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight,
and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus.”

(Acts 9:10-11)

Message Bible (MSG) 

How many times have we prayed and asked God for something and because we ourselves don’t see it happening we think that it hasn’t been done? Such was the case with Saul of Tarsus the church was praying and asking God to intervene and yet when it happened they could not believe it had. While in prayer Ananias had a vision of the Lord calling him eager to reply he said, “Yes Lord it is me!” but he never could have believe what he was about to hear.  

“The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.  Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."  But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."

I’m sure most of us would have replied just as Ananias did, ‘Lord, are you sure you want me to do that?’ This man is killing your followers and now he has authority from the Chief Priest to arrest all he finds and bring them to Jerusalem for trial.  This reminds me of the story of Peter, when the church was interceding for his life and release, but when he came knocking on the door they could not believe it was him.  Yet Ananias obeyed the Lord and went in search of Saul. “The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.  Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."  But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."

This was just the beginning of Saul’s ministry of prayer and intercession, for there would be many days ahead when I he would find himself in prayer and fasting before the Lord seeking, learning and growing in the things of Christ. “Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus. Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.  All who heard him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!" But Saul increased more in strength and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.”

When we think in terms of an intercessor it increasingly becomes clear that one must understand and see the overwhelming grace of God upon their own life before they can stand in the gap for other lost souls. Here’s what Paul said. “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.  Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery" (Ephesians 3:7-9)

"I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them— yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." (1Cor 15:9,10)

If we cannot see the great need in the lives of other, as being as great as our own need for salvation and deliverance then we will not have compassion for them. Saul now saw the riches of the manifold grace of God which was poured out upon him and understood that multitudes of mankind needed the same thing as he did. He was now ready to lay down his life to preach the unsearchable riches of God’s grace to lost souls everywhere. This reminds me of the hymn “Amazing Grace”, which was written by John Newton, an ex-slave ship captain, who when he came face to face with the possibility of death found himself repenting and pleading for mercy, which he himself had not shown… but found and transformed his life. Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of Saul –of Tarsus  "Great Intercessor of the Bible"

 

My Prayer: Lord God, we are so humbled by the story of Saul of Tarsus and how even in his rage against the church You turned him and brought him to repentance, calling Him to a divine calling... and what a calling it was. As we lift up men and women everywhere we don’t know if there is another Paul and Ananias or even another Peter, John or even Judas Iscariot. But what we do know is You Lord God know all.  So use us as You will guide and instruct us as we pray for the lost, sick and hurting. Rise up men and women everywhere to proclaim Your Glorious Gospel throughout this earth…in Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen!!!

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace!  

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