S – Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. 

“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 

Ac 9:4–6 CSB

O – Commentary: 

But Saul the persecutor was about to become Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ! His background and qualifications suited him eminently for the work to which God had called him:

(1) He knew the Jewish culture and language well (Acts 21:40; Phil. 3:5).

(2) Because he was reared in Tarsus he was well acquainted with the Greek culture and its philosophies (Acts 17:22–31; Titus 1:12).

(3) He possessed all the privileges of a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37; 22:23–29; 25:10–12).

(4) He was trained and skilled in Jewish theology (Gal. 1:14).

(5) Because he was capable in a secular trade he was able to support himself (Acts 18:3; 1 Cor. 9:4–18; 2 Cor. 11:7–11; 1 Thes. 2:9; 2 Thes. 3:8).

(6) God gave him zeal, leadership qualities, and theological insight

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – God uses every gift, talent and experience to bring Him glory.  All of Saul’s traits were not by accident.  God crafted a plan where the most zealous persecutor of the early church would become the most zealous sharer of the gospel in verbal and written form.  He will do the same with us.  Embrace all of your gifts, talents and experiences and ask God to use them for his glory.

R – Lord, I thank you that you have a plan and purpose for me.  You crafted me in the womb and you hold all of my gifts, talents and experiences in your hand.  I submit them to you that you would weave a story and an action plan for me.  Help me to be obedient to your purposes today as led by the Holy Spirit.