OWC 2026 Devotional | Week 4, Day 2

GOD, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ME?

God’s pursuit of Paul (who was once named Saul) is one of the most radical pursuits in scripture. Saul was so passionate, but for all the wrong things: he was devoted to persecuting followers of Jesus. He liked his religion and the Law, while using fear, threats, and terror to get people in line with his religion and the Law. He wasn’t ignoring the Lord; he was defying the Lord. He was not unaware of Jesus: he was opposed to Jesus. He was not annoyed by Christians; he was arresting Christians. He seemed much more a candidate for a punishment from God than a pursuit by God.  

Read Acts 9:1-30 

Saul was moving along in his pursuits, until God revealed His pursuit. There was a flash of light from heaven, blinding Saul, and he fell to the ground. The Lord’s first audible words to Saul were not condemnation or correction, but a question. Jesus wants Saul’s heart, so He asks Saul to share his heart with Him. “Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  This is Jesus revealing the purpose of His pursuit is for relationship. Jesus doesn’t pursue us to guilt us or gain from us, but to reveal His heart’s desire for a relationship with us. The Lord’s pursuit of Saul reminds us of the lengths Jesus will go to in His pursuit of us.  

Jesus sent a flash of light from heaven.  

Jesus removed Saul’s ability to see until his heart was opened. 

Jesus brought provision to guide him after losing his sight.  

Jesus had Saul wait, giving him the space and stillness to process 

their encounter. 

Jesus moved in other people’s hearts to provide for Saul as he began his new life.  

Jesus cared enough about Saul to perfectly design His pursuit of Saul. Jesus cares enough about you to perfectly design His pursuit of you. While the designs of each of our pursuits will certainly vary, they all begin the same way. 

Even in our sin, no matter how destructive, Jesus pursues us first. 

Saul’s sin didn’t disqualify him from being pursued, and neither has ours. 

1. What have you believed about God’s Pursuit of you? 

2. What is God revealing to you about His Pursuit of you?