Sunday 18 November, 2012

10 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 people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

Saul was a passionate man. He threw himself into everything he did. When he viagra canada left Jerusalem to go to Damascus to arrest followers of the Way he was very earnest and passionate.

Ananias stayed in Damascus, even though he was aware of Saul’s coming

and his stated mission. When Ananias heard the Lord’s voice saying go and pray for Saul to recover his sight he questioned the wisdom of this. The Lord answered Ananias giving background to the calling on Saul’s life.

Clearly Ananias was a man of courage and obedience.

What would I have done? Would I have stayed around knowing that persecution was about to come my way? Would I have obeyed, had courage to do what the Lord said? I want this kind of courage.

Father help me to have the kind of courage that obeys you in every circumstance.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta