But lo! the triumphs of divine grace!  This arch enemy, while pursuing the followers of the Lamb, even to strange cities, is met by the glorified redeemer, while on his way to Damascus, whither he was going, “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples!” Arrested in his course!  Convinced of his madness!  Brought to believe on that Jesus whom he had reviled and blasphemed!  And even changed into a preacher of that gospel which he had been so eager to destroy!

We know the strange process by which these events were effected—­how this proud adversary was subdued and melted into a humble, penitent believer!  We know the zeal with which he entered on the gospel ministry—­what he did—­what he suffered, to build up the cause he had destroyed!

How he persevered to the end, and sealed his testimony with his blood!—­What a trophy of divine power and mercy!  “These were the Lord’s doings, and marvelous in our eyes.”

But why marvelous?  Why should we wonder when we consider the agent?  God is wont to subvert the purposes of his enemies; and often uses those means and instruments which were prepared and intended against him, to accomplish his purposes.

Egypt is said, at a particular period, to have dreaded a deliverer, then expected to arise in Israel—­therefore the edict for thy destruction of the male children which should be born to the Hebrews, thinking to destroy the deliverer among them.  But while that edict was in operation, as though in contempt of infernal malice, and Egyptian policy, Moses, the savior of his people, was born.  And mark what followed.  Lo!  The daughter of Pharaoh becomes his mother.  The house of Pharaoh his asylum!  The learned Magi of that hostile empire, his instructors!  And all to fit him for the work for which heaven designed him. *

* Hunter Vol. ii.  Lect. xviii.

So here; this Moses of the New Testament—­this destined chieftain among Christians, is educated among Pharisees; the great enemies of Christ—­instructed by their greatest teacher—­inspired with a double portion of their zeal and rancor against the cause of the Redeemer, and sent forth to destroy.  But lo!  This mighty Abaddan of diabolical and Jewish malice, is arrested in his course—­changed into another man, and all his zeal and learning from that hour directed to buildup the cause of God!  The energy instructed and furnished, but heaven directed the use and application!

God’s purposes stand and will stand.  None can stay his hand, or reverse his decrees.  The means chosen to subvert, are used to build his cause and kingdom.  “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness, and the purposes of the froward are carried headlong.”