Acts 9:11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him (Ananias), to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there.”

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Remembering the backstory of Scripture helps us to appreciate what we are reading.

This man, Ananias, was a Christian living in Damascus. He undoubtedly heard that there was this radical Pharisee by the name of Saul of Tarsus who was arresting and imprisoning Christians and in some cases, even having them executed. And now the Lord was giving him a mission to go lay hands on this evil man to receive his sight.

It is no surprise that Ananias was less than enthusiastic about this errand that the Lord had outlined for him. After all, it was very possible that his name was on the list of Christians that Saul was going to arrest. He told the Lord as much, “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” (Acts 9:13-14).

The Lord answered Ananias, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (9:15-16) What the Lord was essentially telling Ananias was that he was the answer to Saul’s prayers — a very unlikely answer to be sure — but just as Saul was God’s ‘chosen instrument,’ so was Ananias.

PRAYER STARTER…

Dear Heavenly Father, we know that every prayer that you hear, you answer. May we learn to trust you in this regard, even when your answers may be completely different than anything we could imagine. In your faithful name we pray …

(Continue this prayer as the Holy Spirit directs you personally.)