"My Chosen Instrument"

Acts 9:10-16 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 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. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
 
WHEN he said, “Yes, Lord.” Ananias did not know why God called his name. What a privilege and joy this would be. It is interesting to note Ananias knew God was speaking to him. Perhaps he was accustomed to talking with the Lord. Or Jesus could have shown himself in some very clear vision.
   But the Lord’s instruction jolted Ananias. Suddenly his “Yes, Lord.” became, “This man has come to arrest us!” Ananias did not want to do what the Lord told him to do. No one who followed the Way wanted to meet Saul!
   But there he was in Judas’ house on Straight Street. What was he doing there, blind and hungry, waiting on God? He was praying. Could this be the first mark of Saul’s spiritual transformation to a new life as the apostle Paul? Saul had trained to be a Pharisee, highly educated in the law. Apparently he had learned an essential truth of God: Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Perhaps Saul used his vast knowledge of Scripture to confront God’s stunning entrance into his life.   
   Do you see how God began to care for Saul? He gave him a very specific vision. Saul knows a man named Ananias will come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. This is most remarkable. The Lord has literally and figuratively knocked Saul from his authority. The Lord has blinded Saul. He has put him in a house to fast and to wait. And then the Lord graciously showed to Saul that Ananias would come to heal him!
   Ananias also needed to know God is a refuge in times of trouble. He was justly afraid of Saul. But God confirmed his commands for Ananias and his purpose for Saul.
 
Acts 9:15 “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
 
God is in control. He wants everyone to know it. Ananias and the other Christians in Damascus must trust what God is doing. Saul, too, had no choice. God is changing him from a man of power to a man under God’s power, even to the point of suffering for Jesus’ name.
   When you read the Bible, you learn God speaks very plainly. He wants you to know his will, so you will have no excuses, only action to do what he says, even if you object.