Your Daily Devotional for August 7, 2006

 

August 7, 2006

 

Road Construction Ahead

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 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 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 9:1-6

 

There are few situations in life as discouraging to a busy traveler as seeing miles of red tail lights on a freeway and road signs that say, “Road Construction Ahead.” Most of us here in the Antelope Valley can recall the long delays after the 1994 earthquake. Freeways had to be repaired, traffic lights were not working properly, and a lot of rubbish had to be cleared from the roads.

 

Yet on this journey called life, we need to remember that God is not as interested in the construction of roads as He is in the construction of spiritual lives. Every turn, every light, and every delay is designed for our benefit and growth. Perhaps no Christian would testify to this truth like Saul of Tarsus, who later is called the Apostle Paul.

 

Our text reveals that Paul was journeying from Jerusalem to Damascus for the purpose of extraditing the Christians to prison. Paul was a driven, self-made man, but in God’s eyes his life needed transformation. Paul’s journey from Jerusalem to Damascus was over 100 miles long; through the Jordan Valley, and past Mt. Hermon to the North. But just before Damascus, the construction began! God stopped Paul on the road to Damascus, and one of the greatest “construction jobs” of the first century took place the day Saul of Tarsus turned to Christ.

 

Christian, just as Paul needed to be changed so that God could use him, we need to change as well! We cannot live the same way we did before we were saved and expect God to adjust to us; we need to conform to His image. If we want to be truly used of God, we must strive to become more like Him every day.

 

What is hindering you from being used like the Apostle Paul? Is there some sin that you are unwilling to give up? Maybe it’s not a sin; maybe there is something that is distracting you from serving God. Friend, whatever it is, give it to the Lord! You will never be satisfied in life until you rest completely in the Lord’s will.

 

Take time today to ask the Lord to bring to mind anything that is distracting you from His service, anything that has taken priority over Him in your life. Then, get rid of it and restore sweet fellowship with God. Finally, remain sensitive to His leading in your life and watch Him use you in a mighty way.

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