“You’ve got to be kidding me?”
“There’s no way God would want me to do that! I must not be hearing right!”
“Seriously, God, You want me to do what?”
All of these thoughts and more must have been racing through Ananias’ mind when God told him to go and pray for Saul of Tarsus.
After all, Ananias was just a regular guy trying to live for God and do the right thing.
Saul was not regular at all. He was quite powerful. More importantly, he passionately hated Christians and used his power to persecute them. He hunted them down to put them in prison and kill them. Now God was asking Ananias to visit him?
Ananais’ first response was: No way, not happening, too dangerous. Followed by, “God, do You know who he is and what he does?”
Then God replied, “I know…but I’ve called him to be my servant…now you go.”
So Ananias went.
But we mustn’t read over this too lightly. We need to understand that Ananais’ choice to see Saul was a ride or die moment. Every part of Ananais’ intellect told him there was a very good chance Saul would take him prisoner or kill him.
He didn’t know the end of the story. He didn’t know that Saul would be converted and become Paul, the great missionary. He didn’t know about the books Paul would write, the many Paul would lead to Christ, or how God would use Paul to change the world.
All he knew was God said “go,” so he went.
Ananias chose to obey God, and the rest is history.
Today, Ananias stands as a reminder to all of us of the potential when we obey the Holy Spirit’s call to share our faith with another person.
How often do we think, “They don’t want to hear it,” “They have no interest,” or even “Do you know the repercussions I may have to face?”
Yet, what if that person is our Saul?
What if they respond to your testimony, or you are used to plant a seed that ultimately leads to their salvation?
Isn’t it worth it?
Ananais reminds us that we are not called to fully understand all of God's plans. We are called to obey God, ride or die.
By: Jamie Holden, Mantour Ministries
Today’s Verse:
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
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,” Ananias 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 priests 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. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Then Ananias 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. (Acts 9:10-19, NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.