Kathy Mitchell
- Jan 13, 2021
- 3 min read

Daily Encouragement - January 13

Acts 22:2-16 Common English Bible

When they heard him address them in Aramaic, they became even more quiet. Paul continued,

“I’m a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city.

Under Gamaliel’s instruction, I was trained in the strict interpretation of our ancestral Law. I am passionately loyal to God, just like you who are gathered here today.

I harassed those who followed this Way to their death, arresting and delivering both men and women into prison. The high priest and the whole Jerusalem Council can testify about me. I received letters from them, addressed to our associates in Damascus, then went there to bring those who were arrested to Jerusalem so they could be punished.

“During that journey, about noon, as I approached Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven encircled me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice asking me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?’ I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are harassing,’ he replied. My traveling companions saw the light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the one who spoke to me. I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘Get up,’ the Lord replied, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told everything you have been appointed to do.’ I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, so my companions led me by the hand into Damascus.

“There was a certain man named Ananias. According to the standards of the Law, he was a pious man who enjoyed the respect of all the Jews living there. He came and stood beside me. ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ he said. Instantly, I regained my sight and I could see him. He said, ‘The God of our ancestors has selected you to know his will, to see the righteous one, and to hear his voice. You will be his witness to everyone concerning what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call on his name.’

Lord, together with all who pray this prayer:

We ask for patience during trying and weary days. We pray for Your grace to continue to reflect in and through our lives. We pray for that which leads to greater understanding and wisdom. We pray to have a heart like Saul’s that can be changed because of Your Amazing Love. We pray to have a resilience in our faith as Paul demonstrated…steadfast and determined, yet conveyed in ways that are understandable to all of Your beloved children we encounter. May we be instruments of Your peace as we seek to be dedicated servants of and for You. May we choose Your will over even the consideration of our own. May we choose the paths You light over paths of our pleasure, preference or convenience.

In our darker days, may we see Your Light revealing Itself. In our brighter days, may we shine IT until all have seen Your glory. Amen.

I Saw the Light-Hank Williams

I wandered so aimless life filed with sin

I wouldn't let my dear savior in

Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night