Blindness - Acts 9:22

"Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. After a while, the Jewish leaders decided to kill him." Acts 9:22

Saul may have been physically blinded on the road to Damascus, but the bible describes a more damaging blindness that the Jews suffered -- SPIRITUAL. It's almost like they're saying, "Don't confuse me with the facts." This affliction was in full display when the Jews chose Barabbas to be released over Jesus, and when they "put their hands over their ears..." so they couldn't hear Stephen (instead of blindness, I guess this would be deafness(?)!), and killed him. Acts 7:57 Our enemy is powerful, his deception is great, and this world is under his power. From experience, I am convinced that this power of blinding deception is one of Satan's most effective weapons, and he uses it against believers as well as non-believers. It should not be our expectation that spreading the gospel will be easy, but, here in the U.S., at least we don't do it at the risk of being put to death -- yet.

Jesus, give me the boldness to present your truth even when it appears that it is falling on deaf ears.

Today's reading: Job 3, 4; Acts 8, 9