BEING AVAILABLE
26th Feb 2020
My daily reading has taken me through the Acts of the Apostles in recents days and the character of Ananias has struck me in a new way. Who was Ananias? Why was he chosen to go to Saul after his Damascus Road experience? With such an important convert, shouldn’t one of the apostles been assigned to the task?
The story is told in Acts 9, and most of us will be familiar with the details. Saul has been knocked to the ground, had a personal encounter with Jesus, then been led blind to the home of Judas in Straight Street, where he remains for three days with no food or drink. What’s going to happen next?
The Lord chooses Ananias, gives him specific instructions, and also a prophetic word to speak to Saul. He counters this with reports of Saul’s reputation for persecution and murder of disciples, and the mandate he carries for the saints in Damascus.
However, Ananias goes straight to the house, and the first words he speaks are, “Brother Saul, receive your sight?” That seems to be a rather short healing prayer, but it works! He then prays for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul is immediately baptised in water and no doubt the prophetic word given to Ananias is conveyed to Saul.
I am challenged by the obedience and faith of this insignificant believer. God did not choose the big guns, but someone who was listening to His voice and prepared to obey instructions. In Acts 22:12 Ananias is described as, “…..a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.” It sounds to me like he was a good solid believer in Jesus, but with no leadership role.
How about you and me? Are you living with a listening ear? Can God send you to perform a miracle and to pray for someone to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Will you speak a prophetic word, that includes a real challenge, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
This is not just the task for “Super Christians” it is God’s call to all his disciples which includes you and me. I am challenged by the example of Ananias and am committed to be more bold and more obedient.
by Charles Sibthorpe
