Acts 22:10 And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said to me, Arise, and go into Damascus… It is a brief one but very common: the question of the idler, the steward in the parable, the statesman. It is one of the standing proofs of its practical character that the Bible makes this the first question as soon as there is a movement towards heaven; the audience of the Baptist, the multitude On the day of Pentecost, the Philippian jailer, St. Paul. The latter adds one word which is vital to the sense - "Lord." Two words are on record in connection with this crisis. "Who art Thou, Lord"; "What shall I do, Lord?" He must know who speaks; he must place himself in His hands. We must look upward as we ask the question; then wait for the answer that we may do it, thus combining the spiritual with the practical. The man who asks and means this question is well started in the race, for — I. HE HAS DONE THE MOST DIFFICULT THING. He has apprehended the invisible God as his Master and Saviour. He no longer stands afar off saying, "Oh, that I knew where I could find Him;" he has grasped the gospel of free forgiveness, and can go in and out where God is and inquire in His temple. In each perplexing alternative, in the dark day of trouble, when no friend is near and life trembling in the balance, he can look up to God as his Counsellor and Helper. It was thus that Paul henceforth lived, and the maturity of the question is seen in his confidence, "The Lord stood by me and strengthened me." II. The question is of LARGE COMPASS. 1. It is the question which a young man asks in choosing his life vocation. Well is it when it has been asked in the fear of God. The addition of "Lord" would have altered in many cases the character of the question and the nature of the reply. 2. In forming an acquaintance, or taking a partner for life, what miseries, entanglements, sins, and crimes would be avoided if the Oracle were visited before determining on the course. 3. This is the question most appropriate to the penitent sinner. Witness the futility of the sinner to break the chain of evil habits without God. III. The question earnestly asked is NEVER LEFT WITHOUT AN ANSWER. The answer is adapted with the most discrimination to the circumstances of — 1. The man who has lost the light. 2. The man who has never had the light. (Dean Vaughan.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. |
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