August 16, 2026 | Saul of Tarsus, the Unlikely Apostle

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Devotional Reading: Psalm 86:1–10

Background Scripture: Acts 7:58–8:3; 9:1–31; 22:3–15

Introduction

A. Fire for Good or Fire for Bad?

Early in 2024, my small town in the Texas Panhandle was among those affected by a series of wildfires that devastated over 1.2 million acres of land. This was not the first time our town had suffered severe damage from a wildfire. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, but the damage was substantial.

We know all too well the destructive capabilities of fire! It’s not surprising, then, that fire is prime imagery for anger, wrath, and destruction. Even so, we continue to use fire in various ways—for warmth, cooking, incineration, and even for controlling other fires.

Our relationship with fire is complicated. We acknowledge it can be both helpful and harmful. So it is with the fiery disposition of zeal. It can ignite a passion for good or unleash a destructive force. Ultimately, it all depends on how and for what purpose zeal is used.