Before I Go to Sleep

Father, if ever there was evidence of how Your Holy Spirit can change a person’s heart it is seen in the life of Saul, feared by believers as a persecutor as he sought to shame, torture and martyr believers, going “from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.” But after his conversion he fearlessly asserts, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…”. He is now respected and loved among fellow believers and writes, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in Him is being talked about all over the world.” Now known as Paul, he is no longer trying to silence the gospel message by dragging believers from their houses to imprison them. Instead he commends them for sharing the Good News and gives thanks that their witness is is being talked about by people all over the world. What a tremendous contrast to see Paul emboldened for Christ instead of evil. Paul’s example shows that it is not only the gospel message we share but also our redeemed lives that makes a difference in our troubled, sin-filled world. Help us to be fearless, faith-filled, and faithful in our witness to the world in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.