Saul was a young Jewish man.  He was a very devout, religious Pharisee. 

  He went on a mission: threatening murder against the disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ.  He did not do this on his own authority.  He went to the high priest and requested legal letters of authority to stamp out this upstart religion!  (Acts 9:1) 

  Saul’s intentions were to go beyond Jerusalem to the synagogues in Damascus to arrest and hand-cuff his captives (men and women) to be brought back to Jerusalem.  His intended targets?  Men and women who belonged to “the Way”, those who were disciples of Jesus Christ.  (Acts 9:2) 

  How do these two verses apply to you and me today?  There are threats, very real threats targeting the followers of Christ. 

  Saul had the will, the desire and the authority to carry out his threats.
  Interesting to note: he didn’t threaten murder against anyone else!  His intentions were only against those who were followers of Christ. 

  Many lives were affected by Saul and his dangerous “progrom”.  Many men and women were imprisoned and persecuted to the point that many fled their homes in Jerusalem and left their country.
  Saul’s intentions were to get rid of these heretics, these blasphemers against God. 
  How did the Lord God handle this situation?  He intervened!  Tomorrow’s devotional, “Jesus gained Saul’s attention” will begin to tell about God’s intentions for Saul! 

  The Lord God’s intentions for you and me may not look like our concept of God’s call.
(NASB) Isaiah 55:8-11 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD.
9 ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” 

  God’s purpose for Saul was far different from Saul’s assumptions. 
  God’s purpose for you may be far different from your assumptions. 

(NASB) Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the LORD,
And He will have compassion on him and to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.” 

  God says: ‘Seek Me, call out to Me…forsake your sins and your unrighteous thoughts, return to Me, the Lord.’  The LORD God promises to have compassion on you…turn to Jesus Christ…for it is through faith in Him that you are abundantly pardoned!