From Persecutor to Purpose | How God Uses Broken Pasts for His Glory

What happens when God interrupts a life headed in the wrong direction?

In this two-minute devotional, Cisco Terrazas reflects on the powerful transformation of Saul in Acts 9 and the truth that no one is beyond God’s reach. Once feared as a violent persecutor of believers, Saul encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus and becomes Paul, a chosen instrument to carry the gospel to the world.

This message reminds us that God is not limited by human failure, past mistakes, or even evil intentions. What looks unusable to people, God sees as redeemable. He transforms hearts, redirects paths, and uses even the darkest chapters for His greater purpose.

If you or someone you love feels disqualified because of the past, this devotional is a reminder that God is still writing redemptive stories. Sometimes He’s doing far more than we can see.

From Wrong to Strong Ministries.

Transcript

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Hello, brothers and sisters. This is Cisco Terrazas who's coming to you for another from wrong to strong two minute Devotional. Today I'd like to focus on how God uses even the evil for good to do his will. Sometimes we struggle to understand how God can work through broken people or even those who actively oppose him. The story of Saul reminds us that no one is beyond God's reach or outside his purpose. In Acts nine, Saul is known as violent persecutor of Christians. He is feared, distrusted, and responsible for suffering. Among God's people as we read, acts nine, one through six. Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any there, who belonged to the way whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he near Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you? Lord? Saul asked, I'm Jesus whom you are persecuting. He replied, now, get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do. As we see here yet, while Saul is on the road to Damascus, God intervenes and speaks to Saul. Shortly before we continue Acts nine, the Lord speaks to Anais and tells him to go to Saul, the very man who had been arresting believers. Understandably, Ananias hesitates. Saul's reputation is well known. As it continues in Acts nine 11 through 19 he tells Ananias, 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 in a vision. He has seen a man named Ananias come and place. His hands on him to restore his sight, Lord, an Anais answered. I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem, and he has come here with authority from the chief priest to arrest all who call on your name, but the Lord said to Ananias go. This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Then went to the house and entered it, placing his hands on Saul. He said, brother Saul, 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. Immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spends several days with the disciples in Damascus. God responds with powerful clarity. Go. This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the gentiles and the kings, and to the people of Israel. God does not deny Saul's past. Instead, he reveals his greater plan. Saul, who was also called Paul, became God's chosen messenger to the Gentiles. This passage teaches us that God is never limited by human failure or evil intent. What others see as unusable, God sees as redeemable. Saul's zeal was once used to destroy the church, but in God's hands, the same. Zeal became a force for spreading the gospel across the world. God does not approve of evil, but he sovereignly overrules it. He transforms hearts, redirects paths, and uses even the darkest chapters to accomplish his will. Saul became Paul, not by his own effort, but by God's grace. This gives us hope today, no matter how broken someone seems or how painful their past, God can still write a redemptive story and sometimes he's doing more than we can see. I hope this message touches someone's hearts today. Please share it with others because there are many out there who need to hear the message of hope that is promised by our savior. Jesus Christ. I'm Cisco Terrazas and I am from wrong to strong.