Monday in Lent

9Verse 9. Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom. 10Verse 10. Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead. 11Verse 11. We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us. 12Verse 12. For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions are indeed with us, and we know our iniquities: 13Verse 13. rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart. 14Verse 14. So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. 15Verse 15. Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. 16Verse 16. He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him. 17Verse 17. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal. 18Verse 18. So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands. 19Verse 19. So shall they fear the name of the LORD where the sun sets, and His glory where it rises. For He will come like a raging flood, driven by the breath of the LORD.

1Verse 1. Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest 2Verse 2. and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3Verse 3. As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4Verse 4. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” 5Verse 5. “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. 6Verse 6. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7Verse 7. The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone. 8Verse 8. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9Verse 9. For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything. 10Verse 10. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered. 11Verse 11. “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12Verse 12. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13Verse 13. But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14Verse 14. And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” 15Verse 15. “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. 16Verse 16. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” 17Verse 17. So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Verse 18. At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized, 19Verse 19. and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20Verse 20. Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”