MONDAY, APRIL 15
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11, Acts 9, Acts 13

2 Corinthians 5:11 says, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.” The writer of this epistle was the Apostle Paul. Did the Apostle Paul experience the terror of the Lord? Yes, he did in Acts 9. God knocked him to the ground and he was lifted from the ground blind. He was blind for three days and at that time, he had no idea that the blindness wasn’t permanent. We can be sure that he knew the terror of God and that he knew it firsthand. In Acts 13 when Paul faced a false prophet he spoke the very same blindness on that false prophet that was brought on him, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the Hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” Paul brought affliction on the false prophet in order to save him. He was overturning the works of the devil in an attempt to bring salvation in its place. Picture the perfect Heart of the Savior as He comes to minister the least amount of judgment for the maximum amount of salvation. Through the terror of the Lord we persuade men!