The city of Damascus was a place known to be a safe haven or hideout for Christian converts and believers from persecution after Christ. Saul, an anti-Christ who later became Apostle Paul took a warrant to go to Damascus to arrest the converts, imprison, disperse, kill them and cause them to abandon their faith in Christ Jesus. On the journey to execute his warrant, Christ Jesus confronted him for persecuting him, Acts 9: 1-31. The full account is recorded in Acts 9: 1-31.
Purpose on the road or journey
The Damascus road was the same road used by converts and their persecutors. It had two distinct spiritual features. To the converts it was an escape route to life and divine security, Matthew 7:13-14. To the anti-Christ like Saul, it was an access route to destruction in favour of the devil’s agenda, John 8:45. The purpose of usage was an individual decision to make, either for God or for Satan the devil. The road is our common journey in life on earth towards eternity. We have a common birth, life on earth and death. We must decide how we want it and how to end it, either for Jesus Christ or for Satan the devil.
Oftentimes, our spiritual stand will define the nature, use and purpose of the journey or the road along which we are travelling in life. Even among God’s people, we unwittingly compromise on the sanctity and purity of scripture based on different and varied worldly reasons. 2 Corinthians 11:14 says no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Which of these attractions do we subscribe to knowing judgment is eminent? It is ours to choose divine security or destruction. What is the purpose for our journey in life? We cannot travel on a journey without an aim or purpose.
Caution on the road or journey
Matthew 26:41 says watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. To watch is to be vigilant and to pray is to acknowledge God’s redemptive power through Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 5:8 says be sober and vigilant for your adversary; the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
We are all travelling along the same journey to the same destination but for different purposes by our choosing. Proverbs 14:12 says there is a way that seems right unto man but the end thereof is death. Saul survived because Jesus wanted to use him for a purpose, Acts 9:15-16. We may not have the same or equal opportunity. Our flesh may grow cold and weak along the journey however willing we may be in spirit so Jesus says WATCH AND PRAY.
Preparing for the journey
Saul had great company of vicious people to assist him to carry out his destructive agenda. He reasonably anticipated the resistance and opposition so he prepared adequately. As people of God, we must also have great company of godly minds to support each other from falling along the way. We must sometimes take a cue from the wisdom of the world.
In Luke 16: 9 Jesus refers to such foresight of people of the world. Galatians 6:2 says bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the laws of Christ. The light of Christ Jesus showed along the way to thwart and to defeat the plans of the antiChrist whilst giving divine security to the converts. Jesus will intercept us with blindness and darkness if our purpose in life is to derail and to frustrate his kingdom. We cannot fight alone but with the support of one another.
God’s purpose for the road
God’s divine purpose for us cannot be changed by man although physically it may appear as such. God has empowered Christ Jesus to intervene in the affairs of his own. Matthew 28:18 says all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Colossians 2:15 says he disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him. Psalms 110:4 says the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. Malachi 3:6 says for I the Lord do not change. The light of Christ Jesus will arrest us on our way if we harbor evil in our hearts. The road belongs to God and we travel on it with divine grace. God’s army is always with us just as Jacob encountered and confessed to in Genesis 32: 1-2. We must not fear to set our purpose right for we are protected by God’s divine army.
The light for our journey
Jesus’ light beams on the road in life’s journey though not visible to the physical eye except with the spiritual eye. This is because Jesus Christ is the light of the world, for he said in John 8: 12, I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Saul became blind and lived in darkness for a while because he did not have the light of the world, Jesus Christ. His vision was however restored with light only when he received Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 9: 5 that as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Jesus was referring to the whole spiritual and physical world of God’s creation inclusive of the earth.
We must always be alert and ready to call on him. Saul heard and listened to Jesus’ voice and became saved. Are we heard and listened to Jesus’ voice on our journey in life? Isaiah 55: 6 says seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. Psalms 27:1 says the Lord is the light of my salvation; whom shall I fear. Psalms 37:39 says the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord. Psalms 68: 20 says our God is a God of salvation; and to God, the Lord belongs to escape from death. The converts in Damascus were protected because of Jesus’ light and so was Saul eventually. We need the light of Jesus and none other through obedience, humility and purity to be safe from the enemy.
Our fears and anxieties
Jesus said in Mark 5: 36; Luke 8: 50 do not fear; only believe. We are often frightened along the way thinking we are alone but we are not. In Numbers 22: 31 the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. In 2 Kings 6: 17 Elisha prayed that the Lord may open the eyes of his servant who was in fear of invasion against Israel so the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Zachariah 8: 8 says for he who touches you touches the apple of his (God) eye. Moses said to the Israelites in Exodus 14: 13, fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. Habakkuk 3: 18 says I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. God has secured our road in life through Christ Jesus against evil on our journey to or road to Damascus. We only need to repent and to be holy.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, please hear us as we pray. Lead us to rest in faith on your word. Let your light remain our assurance of security who you have called into our marvelous light. Thank you Jesus for answered prayer for you lead us in repentance and confessions in your holy name, Amen!!
