Ananias was a follower of Jesus Christ and he had seen a vision from the living God. He was told to go and lay hands on a man so he would regain his sight. He was told what street and the house where he would find this man, Saul. Saul was the man who was authorized by the chief priests in Jerusalem to arrest believers in Jesus Christ in Damascus and take them back to Jerusalem. Ananias stated all these facts to the Lord. Acts 9:13-14
(NASB) Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.’”
The Lord’s plans for Saul
The Lord told Ananias His plans for Saul
Saul was God’s chosen instrument
Saul would carry God’s name to Gentiles, kings and the people of Israel
Saul would be shown by God how much he would suffer for the Lord’s name’s sake
When the Lord God of the Bible calls you and me, He does not promise a road without pot holes and dangerous curves. He does not promise smooth sailing or a life of sunshine and no storms. What God does promise is He will be with us in the middle of storms for He is Immanuel (God with us). Your life will be on a unique path the Lord has in mind for you. And I need to be reminded that what I am now experiencing is a storm in which God is with me in it! Emmanuel – God with us! God is with you in your personal storm!
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged His followers who would face persecution.
(NASB) Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 ‘Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Suffering “…for My name’s sake.” Following Jesus Christ requires you and me to choose to steadfastly place our faith in Him, even in the midst of suffering. The Lord knew how much suffering Saul would endure because of God’s call to him.
Being a follower of Christ does not mean you and I will not endure persecution in whatever form that takes. Some reading this devotional have suffered ostracism; homes denied them, imprisonment and death of loved ones because they have faith in the living Lord Jesus Christ.
What does God’s word say to those who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ?
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)
~ Take it to heart ~
If you are suffering persecution for the sake of Jesus’ name, you are in elite company.