Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 9:15-16 (New Living Translation)

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

God is conversing with Ananias of Damascus (that is something to discuss all by itself, but not today). God tells Ananias about (P)Saul’s future. Saul will take God’s message to kings! Wow!

Then there is an “And” in verse 16. This “And” doesn’t make much sense, but God said it. Saul will suffer much for the name of God. The rest of the text in Acts shows that Saul did suffer much. Not much “Wow!” in this.

Such is life. We have the immeasurable blessings of God. We have the misery of life on earth. One day to the next; one minute to the next. What sense is there in all this? Not much as far as I can see.

Thank God that God can see much farther than I can. Please God, help me in my unbelief.