Consider Ananias of Damacus. (acts 9). Here he was, a godly man, living and doing his thing and God...yes indeed God...talks to him in a vision. He tells Ananias to "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul". Ananias was justifiably shocked. Saul of Tarsus? I'm to meet with him...but Lord..he persecutes your believers!!!!
He's amazed.
This is the same man who watched Stephen be "rocked to death". He held their coats while he was stoned. He worked with the chief priests to imprison all who called on the name of the Lord. And Ananias is to go to him? And not only that...he will find this Saul praying?
But the Lord answered Ananias' amazement
Saul was chosen by God to be his "chosen instrument" for evangelism to the Gentiles and the Jews. Did you note that? That God chose Saul to do his work. It wasn't Saul's choice....it was God's.
Ananias went, layed hands on Saul - calling him brother, and Saul could see again. Saul was baptized and ate food and well...we know the rest of the story. Saul went on to become Paul, a great evangelist and teacher. He wrote half the books in the New Testament. Many owe their faith in God to the influence of Paul's work for the Lord God.
Isn't God amazing? See what he did in Saul's life! See what he did in Ananias' life! God does things that sometimes just blow one's mind if one stops to think about it. All praise be to him! :)
Kinda makes me wonder what amazing thing God will do next!
1 comment:
Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm curious as to how you found me.
I really liked your point about God changing Ananias. What a crown he will receive in Heaven for his obedience to God.
Makes you wonder if Saul would have ever gotten his sight back if Ananias had not obeyed.
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