Nougat 24

We resume our reflection on the supernatural power of God with Today’s Holy Nougat

Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”” ‭‭

Tales of the Supernatural 3

He was feared by many for his fearlessness! This was the man who saw nothing wrong by getting legal authority for murder! In fact, at this time when we’re joining his story, Saul (whose name means prayer for) is actually on his way to eradicate some people. His justification: they were not adhering to the Law. For Saul, this was punishable by death, and hehe assumed the responsibility of fulfilling the Law. He was passionate. He was diligent. He was fearless.

Until he found himself in a planned intervention that literally transformed his life permanently.

To fully appreciate the impact, we have to join Saul and the team on that Damascus road. Some critics (scholars) argue that the 175 mile road was winding, and traversing it could take close to a week. It is also believed that Saul would have traversed the safer route that wound its way through Galilee, Y’shua’s home town. One theologian proposed that Saul’s journey would likely have included Nazareth, Capernaum, Bethsaida, meandering by the Sea of Galilee. His plan for persecuting the People of The Way included him walking in the way of Y’shua.

Although the entire region was fully under Roman rule, it was understood that Judaism was the accepted religion of the area. So, Saul felt within his power to ensure that the delicate religious balance and peace established for the Jews under occupation was not destroyed by those who followed The Way. What he hadn’t counted on was a special visit from his own God, YHWH.

We’re not told whether it was night or day when Saul had that supernatural encounter; but we know that the glory of the Lord God was fully revealed. It was so bright and powerful that Saul fell from its intensity. Saul, the fearless has come into the presence of One Greater and far more powerful than himself. It is interesting to see that Saul fell. Wasn’t that the same response triggered by Y’shua’s ‘I AM’ statement in the Garden? I suspect that the inclusion of these power-brooking murderous men falling to the ground is to underscore the fact that usually it is the weaker subject that falls before the ‘opponent’. It was a position of humility, even if it wasn’t voluntary. Remember 1 Samuel 5:4? Where Dagon, there Philistine idol was found face down on the ground before the Ark of the Lord; its head and hands broken and lying on the threshold? Regardless of Saul’s own view of his power, strength, or authority – in the presence of the Most High, Saul was the weaker, powerless subject.

Siblings, in that moment, Saul discovered that our God is not an idol to be trifled with. The words he heard and the radiance of God’s glory afforded him a fresh experience of the supernatural. Yet, God’s grace kept him. And Saul repented of his old ways, and became more popularly known as Paul (which means small or humble). We are reminded that God resist the proud and gives grace to the humble. I pray that our experience of the supernatural power of YHWH also realizes transformation.

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May all we seek be found in Christ