Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Acts 9:10-19
This is one of my favorite accounts in the book of Acts. This Ananias is only mentioned here this one time in the scriptures. He was only known as a ‘believer’. And Ananias it seems to me had a good intimate relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Why do I think that? It doesn’t say Ananias was surprised by the vision but immediately responded positively to Jesus. Now Jesus gave Ananias a task that was NOT easy! Obviously, Ananias knew of Saul and what kind of man he was and what kind of authority he had to make the lives of followers of Jesus suffer… badly. Yet… Jesus trusts Ananias enough to ask him to do this very difficult task. Also, Ananias has no problem sharing with Jesus his fears about the task and doubts about Saul. But Ananias eventually obeyed Jesus and went to find Saul and prayed for him.
Has Jesus ever asked you to do a difficult thing for Him? Has He asked you to say something that seemingly could put you in danger? Do you trust Jesus enough to obey Him in the ‘hard things’? Does Jesus trust you enough to ask you to do difficult things for Him? It seems to me – this should be the level of intimacy with Jesus every ordinary follower should have. I my perspective we are all His ambassadors tasked to carry out His will and authority. That might mean doing the things our King asks us to do that we don’t feel worthy of, or fearful of, or doubtful of, or just plain scared to do. Our King trusts us… otherwise we still wouldn’t be here. (Ponder on that.)
So today… what is your King asking you to do for Him? What agenda does your King have for you? Have you come before Him to ask Him? Is this day yours or His? Be ready to execute His orders to you. Be ready to bless, pray, and give whatever He tells you to.
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24