Psalm 119:169-176
As we finish this very long psalm praising the Word of God, I want to focus on the fact that God's Word helps us know how to pray. Apparently it's OK to remind God of His promises. "O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised. vv. 169-170. Knowing the Word of God helps us to know how and why to praise Him; it gives us joy so that we can sing. vv. 171-172. The psalmist asks for God's help which is always appropriate. vv. 173-175. And he confesses his sin, and this also is a necessary part of prayer. "I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten y our commands."
v. 176.
Acts 9:10-19
If you will recall, yesterday, we read about Saul's experience with the bright light and the voice of Jesus. At the same time the Lord was speaking in a vision to Ananias, a believer in Damascus. The Lord instructed him to go inquire after Saul. "But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!" I'm sure he was thinking, "Surely not, Lord! This man is our enemy!" The Lord reassured Ananias that Saul was a chosen instrument to take the Gospel to the Gentiles as well as to the people of Israel. And so Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Saul regained his sight, got up and was baptized, ate some food and was strengthened.
We can learn from this passage that God can change a person and no one is too sinful to be saved. Nothing is too hard for God! It's interesting that Ananias greets Saul as "Brother Saul" thus acknowledging that he believed God had truly converted him, and he was now a member of the Family of God.
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