The King Over Every Heart

Welcome and thank you for joining us for tonight's Our Daily Bread Evening Meditation.

What a joy it is to rest in God's presence, to know He is here, to realize we are safe

welcomed and loved.

Take some slow, deep breaths and let the events of today melt away.

Just be present in this moment with the Lord.

The Psalmist says to God in Psalm 65 verse 2,

you who answer prayer to you, all people will come.

Our God answers prayer, all prayer.

That is still true tonight, so let us come to Him expectantly in prayer.

Heavenly Father, this world is so unpredictable and chaotic.

I often find myself overwhelmed and struggling to see your hand at work in everything.

Help me to trust tonight that you are here.

You will speak through your word and that you are sovereign over all things.

Nothing in my life is outside of your power or your grace.

Acts chapter 9 verses 1 to 9 says, Saul would still breathing out murderous threats against

the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus

so that if he found any there who belonged to the way whether men or women he might take them

as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven

flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him,

Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

Who are you, Lord, Saul asked? I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, he replied.

Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the sound but did not see anyone.

Saul got up from the ground but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing so they led him by

the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything.

Imagine walking along the road with Saul soon to become the apostle Paul. He strides with purpose,

a man on a mission fully believing he is doing God's work. There is a self righteous

heir about him. He is off to destroy more Christians. He is passionately committed to their demise.

They go against everything he was ever taught, every strand of his identity as a Pharisee,

every part of his heritage as a Jew. They must be wiped off the face of the earth and he is just the man

for the job. What hope is there for a man like that? Sure, the world applaudes his passion,

his purpose, his sense of self-worth, his drive and motivation. He is a person who gets things done

and works to make the world a better place. But in eternity what hope is there for Saul?

He fights against the living God. With every breath in his body he chooses again and again to wage war

against Jesus and his people. Make no mistake. Saul's soul is in great danger. His fate hangs

in the balance and it doesn't look like anything will ever change. Then a flash of blinding light

and a voice from heaven speaks directly to Saul. Why are you persecuting me?

What fear, what awe, what absolute terror must have filled Saul's heart.

But there was something else too. Something else entered Saul's heart and soul as Jesus' voice

identified with the suffering of his people as the unstoppable light and voice revealed the

all-powerful king Saul fell to his knees. A physical reaction and a spiritual transformation.

He had met the Lord and he could not resist.

Even the drive and commitment of a man like Saul is no match for the gracious love and

awesome power of the Lord Jesus. Saul is humbled and tamed in his presence.

The Lord is the one who changes hearts even the most stubborn self-righteous and dogmatic hearts

like Saul's. Whatever impossible situation you are feeling, it is no match for the power and

love of the mighty king of kings.

Now, as we turn to prayer, allow every part of your body to relax, starting at your feet

and working your way up. You are in the throne room of the king, a place you are welcome to

linger and rest. Breathe deeply in whatever way feels comfortable for you with long, slow

exhales, breathe in, and out,

and in,

and out,

and out. Let's pray.

Dear Jesus, keep me from being a Saul, convinced of my own rightness but failing to see how wrong I am.

I want to serve you in humility and truth, enjoying your blessing and growing

in love.

Thank you, Jesus, that every heart is yours, even the laws of nature bend to your will.

In this time of quiet reflection, I offer my worries and stresses that you would rule over them.

And I give you all the people who stress me, they too are in your power.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 56 verses 3 to 4.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, in God whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?

Let's close with a final prayer.

Love in God. You are the only power. Yours is the only throne.

I kneel joyfully before the King of kings. Thank you that my life and times are in your hands.

Make me brave in your presence, no matter what I face tomorrow.

And give me peaceful sleep tonight, knowing that you watch over me.

Amen.