Ananias Faced A Dilemma…

Ananias faced a dilemma. God told him to go to Saul. If he did this he would certainly be persecuted, probably dragged back to Jerusalem and jailed. Ananias had a choice to make: trust God, or trust his instinct. His fear of persecution influenced his instinct, which opposed God. When these types of situations arise, we must set aside our “feelings” and go with what we know to be true. God will never ask or command us to do anything that would contradict Who He is. I mean God loves us so much that He would never send us out to attempt to do the impossible, if He didn’t have the power to actually do it. He would never send us out on a death mission, if it didn’t serve a purpose. God’s plans always achieve its goal, to bring Himself glory. And if we participate whole-heartedly, we receive the blessing as well. Ananias did just that; he overcame his feelings, and did what God asked him to do. In doing so, he got to witness one of the greatest conversions in all of history. He got to witness a sinful, bound for Hell, human being receive a heart transplant right before his eyes. He got to see the transformational power of God in the “now”. He got to witness evil turn to good. He got to see Saul turn into Paul. All of this happened because he was willing to be obedient to God’s call. The next time you hear the call, don’t ask God to take away your fear (of rejection), ask Him for more love. For perfect love drives out fear. Ananias learned this, and we should learn from this example as well. Obedience requires sacrifice, and that’s exactly what God says He wants from us. It’s our way of showing Him (and more importantly, ourselves) how much we love Him back. It may be hard, but what can compare to the reward?

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”“Yes, Lord!” he replied.11 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. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon Your name.”15 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. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:10c-17