I really like Ananias. He’s such an ordinary Christian to get pulled into the spotlight for a short time. Imagine it—here is Ananias going about his ordinary life, perhaps a little worried because he’s heard that Saul is coming to town to arrest Christians. And then God tells him to go visit Saul and heal him! It must have been like being told to go and lay hands on a hungry lion. Ananias is taken aback, and he says so. “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done ….” Are You sure You’ve got the right man in mind? Are You sure You want to send me?
But God confirms it. “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine … I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.” So Ananias stops arguing. He gets up, goes to the address God has been so practical as to give him and, sure enough, there’s Saul. Ananias doesn’t hold back. He lays his hands on Saul and even calls him “brother”! And God uses his obedience to heal Saul’s blindness immediately.
Ananias had a small role, but look at what a difference his obedience made! He was there when it counted—afraid, no doubt, but still there. And God blessed that.
Very few of us will ever be famous—certainly not as famous as Saul, who later became the apostle Paul. We are like Ananias instead. And that’s okay. Because known or unknown, all Christians live with the real, everlasting life that Jesus has earned for us through His suffering, death, and resurrection from the dead. Our eyes are on Jesus. He is the One we love and care about, and it’s His opinion of us that matters. And when we have the honor of serving Him, whether in a big way or a small way—how wonderful is that?
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to keep focused on loving and serving You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.