06/20/2020
Are you in the middle of a situation that perplexes you? Are you overwhelmed by adversity and don’t know what to do next? Sometimes we find life to be more than we can handle, or circumstances to be new to us, and in such times we are uncertain what our next step should be. In times like these we should seek the presence of God, and the intercession of Jesus; then obey As they instruct us. The apostle Paul found himself in just such a confusing circumstance as he travelled to Damascus...
““As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.”
Acts 22:6 ESV
Before Paul was a Christian he actually persecuted Christ’s followers, and his name at that time was Saul, but one day he was knocked down while traveling the road to Damascus, and in that moment of confusion he asked two questions that we too should bear in mind when we find ourselves troubled. The first question is “Who are you“, and the second is “What shall I do?”
“And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’”
Acts 22:8-10 ESV
Leading up to the first of Paul‘s questions were a couple of actions... He found himself In the presence of Jesus, and he was knocked to the ground. Then, after these actions, came a conversation that included Paul’s two questions, and finally another couple of actions... those being Jesus telling him what to do, and he obeying.
“And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.”
Acts 22:11 ESV
Sometimes we have a problem realizing who is behind the troubles we are experiencing. Are we being confronted by Satan, the natural flow of life, or perhaps called to task by God. Paul didn’t know who he was facing... so he asked, and we should ask as well. We do this by asking outright “who are you?” In troubled times it can be hard to not only determine the source of our problem, but who we are speaking to in the midst of it. Samuel faced this same challenge, and the more experienced prophet Eli was there to instruct him regarding what to do...
“Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”
1 Samuel 3:9 ESV
In this way; when we are perplexed or facing tribulation, we shouldn’t assume that we know its origin, or to whom we are speaking, but always ask “Who are you?”, and if the answer isn’t clear, go to our prayer closet, or seek out an Eli in our life. Then when we are satisfied that we have the ear of the Lord we can ask our second question “What shall I do?”, or as the King James translation writes...
“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou 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.”
Acts 9:6 KJV
Now comes the really hard part... doing what we have been told to do. For Paul this was a life changing event. He wasn’t receiving a little tweak to some obscure mannerism, but a complete overhaul of his life. So after having asked what we should do we must be prepared to obey the big and small demands alike. Blind as we are, we must be willing to travel into our own Damascus, and have our name changed. Quite often we have no idea what awaits us, but even so, we must trust in God. When David found himself in situations like this, he would ask yet another question, and then express his trust, listen...
““And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.”
Psalm 39:7 ESV
So when in trouble, or facing challenges of any type we need to determine who is speaking to us through it, seek the presence of God, and ask Him what we should do. Then, and only then, when we have received His instruction, we should move forward in obedience; trusting in Him, and unafraid to ask questions along the way.
So what is bothering you today, or what are you waiting on? Do you really know? Ask the questions!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being with us when we are lost, perplexed, or suffering life’s tribulations. Shine your light on us Jesus as we seek our Heavenly Father, and reassure us as to who we are speaking when we hear His voice. Guide us through every occurrence in our lives Father, and give us the strength, and trust, we need to obey what you ask of us, and comfort us all the while as we carry on our conversation of faith with you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who never abandons us, and is our strong tower against all trouble, and trial. We praise you Lord for allowing us to enter into your presence, and for rescuing us from all the hardships we face. We worship you for the wisdom you pour over us, and the mercy you show us when we fall short of your expectations. We call out to all who would hear “Glory to God in the highest!”, and fall to our knees before you. We cry out “Who are you!” in our blindness, pray “What shall I do?” In our confusion, and sometimes, as we struggle to trust and obey we plead for clarification as we ask... “For what do I wait?” Call to us Father, and lead us by our faith in Jesus, and the power of your amazing grace as we serve you now, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes