Ananias lived in Damascus. He was a disciple, a follower of Christ Jesus. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And this godly man answered with, “Here I am, Lord.”
Then the Lord told Ananias to get up, go to the street called Straight, and go to the house of Judas and ask for Saul of Tarsus. Then go to Saul and lay your hands on him so he would regain his sight… he was told that you are going to do this. (Acts 9:10-12)
Ananias’ honest assessment of Saul
(NASB) Acts 9:13-14 “…‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;
14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.’”
Ananias made some valid points, he gave factual history of Saul’s persecution of followers of Christ in Jerusalem and this Saul had been given authority by the chief priests to arrest all who were disciples of Jesus Christ in Damascus.
How do you react when you look at people and/or circumstances that seem counter-productive? Do you strike back? Do you react by becoming depressed? Perhaps you become manipulative to get everything back on the track you perceive as being the right one.
The Lord was asking Ananias to do something and Ananias could not fathom why God would want him to help this — this — murderer — this — this — persecutor.
What is the Lord asking you to do in your circumstances? Does it seem “not fair”, too hard or even impossible?
What does at least one Scripture say about our reaction to difficult situations? (Be alert for God’s words throughout His Word, the Holy Bible, lead you in God’s path for you.)
(Amplified Bible) Proverbs 3:5-6 “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”
The Lord God will make your way smooth and remove obstacles which are in your way. No matter your age, God is true to His word for you.
Facts are important. But God many times ignores those facts in order to accomplish His purposes and plans… as He did in this case with Ananias. Puzzlement… perplexities… possibilities… trusting in the Lord God of the Bible is to lean all your weight on Him. Don’t trust your own insights… don’t trust your own understanding… trust the Lord God.
~ Take it to heart ~
In all your ways… all your ways… recognize and let the Lord know you are listening to Him. Then wonder of wonders… He will give you His direction for the path you are to walk. Don’t believe everything you hear on social media or TV. Do believe God and His words!