The God Who Protects
After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.  So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
Acts 9:23-28 (NIV)

There is such disbelief in Saul’s conversion that some of the Jews there in Damascus decide, “We won’t wait for him to prove it; we’re going to kill him.” The opposition is so strong that Saul is held up in the house of one who believes in his life’s mission and ministry. Jews have posted themselves at the gates of the city, hoping that they can catch Saul trying to escape from Damascus and kill him at the city gate. Why? Because he has surrendered to Jesus and surrendered to being shaped for ministry in the Lord’s name.

Following Jesus brings a lot of celebration, but it upsets some people. It confuses and confounds those whose morals and ethics are excessively self-serving. Believing in and living for Jesus causes debate among those who believe differently. It often inflames people who are trying to figure out how you cross so far over compared to who you used to be. And if Saul represents all of us who have said yes to Jesus, it suggests that at times we need to sit in witness protection because all the entrances and exits that invite us to move freely in the Lord are blocked by those who are trying to kill us. But there is good news. The good news is the Lord not only calls, the Lord not only blesses, the Lord not only anoints, the Lord not only prepares, but the Lord also protects.

Saul’s history has to include a day where somebody had to stand up for him, open a door for him, and put their reputation on the line for him. This scripture reminds every one of us to never forget that there are people connected to us that God has assigned to encourage us, to open doors for us, to vouch for us, to put their personality and reputation and capacities on the line so that the Lord can plant you and place you where He divinely intends.