"Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' "And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. So I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.' And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. Acts 22:6-11

The Lord Jesus asked Paul (his name was changed to Paul sometime later), “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Paul’s answer (v.8) was, “Who are You, Lord?” After a few more words were exchanged, in (v.10) Paul asked the Lord, “What shall I do, Lord?” Here are a few thoughts about Paul’s two questions.

First, it is always okay to ask God questions, as long as our questions are legitimate rather than challenges to God. For example, it is fine to ask God the purpose behind what He is doing. It is not okay to demand that God defend Himself. He may and often does tell us what He is doing, but since He owes us no explanation, we dare not demand answers from Him.

Second, in both of Saul’s questions during his encounter with Christ (which took place in Acts 9) that he is speaking about (here in Acts 22), Saul uses the word “Lord” when addressing Jesus. The word in both is “Lord” (kurios in Greek). This word is a title given to one who has supreme authority. It is different from the word, “LORD” which is God’s name YHWY, or Jehovah. It is significant that although Saul may not at that moment have known Jesus is God, he did recognize Jesus has being “Lord,” having supreme authority. Using this word to address Jesus reveals humility on Saul’s part and utmost reverence for the Lord Jesus! Let us always address and refer to the Lord Jesus with utmost humility and reverence.

Third, By way of application, may I suggest that every time we hear from the Lord, whether in our personal reading of His Word, or when His Word is being preached, Saul’s two questions are a great example of how we should respond to God’s Word.

“Who are you, Lord?” Every times we encounter the Lord in His Word, let us ask for revelation of who He is—insights and deeper understanding of His being and character. Let us always earnestly desire to know Him more!
“What shall I do, Lord?” As servants of God, let us always be keen to know what the Lord wants us to think, say, and/or do!

More next time…