DCLM Daily Manna 2026: DCLM Daily Manna 30 January 2026: Christ’s Saving Power
Text: Acts 9:1–9 (KJV)
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
KEY VERSE: Acts 9:6
“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
Transformational encounters with God are often unconventional. They may appear sudden, strange, or even unsettling, yet they are usually decisive and lifelong. Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus was one such encounter.
He was walking a familiar path, full of confidence and determination, when an overwhelming divine intervention altered the course of his life forever. In one moment, he was a feared persecutor of Christians; in the next, he was helpless on the ground, blinded by a light brighter than the sun.
In today’s text, Saul—a zealous Pharisee—was travelling to Damascus with official authority from the high priest to arrest followers of Jesus and return them to Jerusalem for punishment.
He was committed to destroying what he believed was a dangerous movement. However, as he approached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly shone around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” In fear and confusion, he asked, “Who art thou, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.”
This divine encounter left Saul blind for three days. Led by his companions, he entered Damascus where he neither ate nor drank, waiting for God’s next instruction. This humbling experience prepared him for a complete transformation—from a persecutor of believers to a devoted servant and apostle of Christ.
From this account, it is clear that God’s saving power can reach the vilest of sinners. Saul was an unlikely candidate for salvation, yet Jesus chose him. This shows that no one is beyond redemption.
No matter how far a person has gone in sin, the grace of God is sufficient to bring genuine transformation. Saul’s encounter with Christ reminds us that true faith goes beyond religious knowledge—it begins with a personal encounter and relationship with Jesus.
Just as Saul was physically blinded, many people today are spiritually blind, unable to perceive the truth of God’s love and purpose. Only divine revelation can open the eyes of the heart.
Therefore, believers have a sacred duty to preach the gospel to everyone, regardless of their past. God’s grace is abundant and available to all who come to Him with a repentant heart.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
If the Lord could save and use a persecuting sinner, He will easily save a plain sinner who comes to Him.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Daily Manna 30 January 2026
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