Led by the Hand

Acts 9:8

“Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.”

Acts 9 starts by explaining that Saul was on his way to Damascus, breathing out threats to the Church and with all authority to persecute the followers of Jesus Christ in all the Synagogues. However, on his way, Jesus blocked him off and the great conversion took place as Saul eventually bowed down to the King of kings.

One significant thing though, is that Saul lost his sight in the process and he had to be led by the hand to Damascus. Like Saul, there are times when we are pursuing our course with the intention of fulfilling our motives and then we lose sight. Loss of sight or vision may not necessarily mean an attack from the enemy, but at times God can let it happen so that His motives take priority position over ours, or so that our lack of sight increases our dependence on Him.

Saul allowed to be led by the hand, a level he would never fall to if he was all able by himself. When you lose sight of where you are going, it does not mean that you cannot move anymore. Where we can’t move by sight, we can progress by faith, and where we can’t reach alone, someone can take us by the hand. Saul had to have faith in the people that were taking him, believing that they are not leading him backwards or to a place of danger.

There are people who have reached their destinations because other people have lent them a hand for direction and guidance, but how much more can one prosper if it is God Himself holding their hand. He says to His anointed, Cyrus, in Isaiah 45, “The Lord says to the man of his selection, to Cyrus, whom I have taken by the right hand, putting down nations before him, and taking away the arms of kings; making the doors open before him, so that the ways into the towns may not be shut; I will go before you, and make the rough places level: the doors of brass will be broken, and the iron rods cut in two: And I will give you the stores of the dark, and the wealth of secret places, so that you may be certain that I am the Lord, who gave you your name, even the God of Israel.” When God takes us by the hand, He does not lead us to failure or destruction, but to glory and victory. 

The Bible also tells us that “although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing”. There are many people that seem like they have a clear vision of where they are going but when they no longer have sight of anything. It is possible to seem to be focused when you are not. In that instance, all you need is to tell God, “Lead me by the hand”.

Saul’s original destination was Damascus, and when Jesus interrupted his journey, He still left him to reach Damascus, but with a changed heart and changed motives. When God seems to ruin our plans, it is not to harm us, rather it is for our good; He leads you by the hand to where you wanted to go but with a better objective.

Depend on your faith more than your sight; depend on God for direction; let Him lead you by the hand. May He lead you by the hand and May He bring forth people that will hold your hand to help you reach your destiny.