After a six-week break during the Advent and Christmas seasons, we are returning to our sermon series through Acts. This morning, we’ll hear Paul doing a bit of “returning” as well, retelling the story of his conversion and call to ministry. The familiar “Road to Damascus” account is told in Acts 22 with fresh details and insights, some of which are reflected in this morning’s service. Paul mentions that he “could not see because of the brightness of that light,” but we confess from the psalms that “in [Christ’s] light do we see light” (Psalm 36:9; The Wicked Man Fears Not The Lord—Psalm 36). We are reminded that Jesus brought “light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10), and we respond by naming Him the “light of the straying” and praying for His will to enfold us “with its light and power” (Come, Ye Disconsolate; At The Name Of Jesus). Paul tells us that he regained his sight “at that very hour” following Ananias’ prayer, and we ask for the Lord to be our vision and our light as we go forth into a lost and dying world (Be Thou My Vision). Even when “darkness veils His lovely face” (My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less), we trust that His grace will reveal to us the “light of the knowledge of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
—Henry C. Haffner
