WEEK THREE

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

It is often surprising not only how, but also who God chooses to advance His purposes in the world. Saul had just been knocked off of his high horse on the way to persecute Christians when the light of Jesus Christ intervened in his life. Saul’s conversion was not a lone ranger journey, there were other people involved as well. Here we see that Ananias was a faithful man of God in Damascus. He was about to suffer the brunt of Saul’s persecution when God came with an extremely unexpected message. The person who was coming to kill him, is the person he needed to lay hands on and commission to the ministry. How mind-blowing!

When we advance, there are always obstacles and difficulties on the way. In our minds, we are quick to label these things as problems, and we ask God to remove them or to give us strength.

It is just like God to work in wonderful and unexpected ways. God transformed the Church’s biggest enemy into its largest asset. That is the kind of God we worship.

It is understandable that Ananias was a little fearful. “Really God, you want me to do what?” Obedience can be scary and difficult. However, it is in our obedience to do the hard things that God shows us His ability to do the impossible things.

Notice how Ananias expressed an initial willingness to the Lord, “Behold, I am here, Lord.” Then when God called on Him to do a specific work, the resistance came. We can admire his initial willingness and also admire his eventual obedience; we can also relate to his hesitancy. This was the man who was killing Christians!

What Ananias didn’t know was that God was already at work behind the scenes to produce a weight of glory and a wonderful work. We don’t always get to see behind the scenes and into the details of how God is working. Firstly, if we did we wouldn’t believe it. Secondly, it would no longer require faith. God is still at work all around the world, in our community, and in our Church. He is still doing the impossible.

Perhaps throughout these weeks, you have sensed God asking you to do a difficult thing. It may seem as difficult as going to talk to someone who was intent on killing you the day before! How are you going to respond? Will you respond with obedience or resistance?

As a believer, you may have prayed the initial surrender prayer, expressing a willingness to do whatever the Lord asks. But now, when it comes down to it, there is some resistance. Like Ananias, it can be hard to obey such a difficult command. But look at how God worked it for good and for His glory. Imagine if Ananias did not obey the Lord. Would we have half of the New Testament today? Would there have been a church in Galatia, Ephesus, Thessalonica, Colossae, or Philippi? See, God’s call to obedience always extends far beyond just you.

What Ananias didn’t know is that God had already made Saul receptive to him.

What you may not know, is that God already has plans to provide and to bless your obedience. He’s not going to show you all He has in store, but we can bank on the character of God and know that He is in control. What God is calling you to do in order to advance is far beyond just you, but He wants you to be a part of it. What are you missing out on because you won’t simply obey? What are others missing out on because of a lack of obedience in the Church?

Our hope and prayer is that we will all be like Ananias and obey what the Lord asks us to do. We can rest assured that God has already paved the way, done the impossible, and prepared for you to simply advance in your obedience. Won’t you pray and ask God to make clear what He wants you to do?

• Has there been a time when you had to do something scary but it turned out to be no big deal?
• When have you seen the Hand of God provide in your own life?
• What obstacle or impossible thing is in your life?
• What difficult thing do you sense God calling you to do?
• What is stopping you from obeying what God has asked you to do?