Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believersb]">[b] in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (NLT)
Poor old Ananias. Minding his own business in the backstreets of Damascus when God tells him to go and greet one of his sworn enemies. Ananias was a Christian. He knew all about this man named Saul who was on his way to make life hard for the Christians in Damascus. Ananias was probably making plans right then for avoiding Saul. God had other ideas.
God had taken hold of Saul and was beginning to turn his life around. Ananias was to be the human means through which this new journey of faith would begin. Being a faithful man, Ananias did go and greet Saul, undoubtedly with some nervousness, and did what God asked him to do.
A reminder to us that occasionally we will feel compelled to do surprising things. God’s purposes might take a strange twist that makes no sense and even puts us in positions of hardship or threat. No matter. God knows what he is doing. We don’t have to know all the details of why God is doing what he is doing. We only have to obey. Even if it seems to make no sense at all. Don’t be surprised if God surprises you!
Blessings
David
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