Godly Obedience In Adversity
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Acts 9:1-31 and Psalm 13:1-6 (NIV)
(Joel Choong, from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
OBSERVE:
After growing up in church, and living as a Christian for many years of life, the story of Saul’s turning to Christ is not unfamiliar. But in recent years, I have come to appreciate Anania’s attitude towards God and Saul.
In human wisdom, in modern times, these actions might be considered very unwise. The man, who was persecuting the church and famously at the stoning of Stephen, was now blind. And God would have plans for him? “… how much evil he has done to your saints…” Ananias pleads with God. He does not understand God’s use of someone like Saul. But God commands, “Go”. Saul will share the gospel of Jesus Christ with “Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel”.
If Ananias had not listened to God’s call to pray for this radicalised man, we would not have most of the Epistles. We would also not have the theological framework of grace, read in Romans. Perhaps God might have worked through another individual, but God had used Paul specifically for this. Indeed, he carried the gospel to kings and Gentiles. Thank God for Ananias’ obedience.
APPLY:
There might be people in my workplace, my neighbourhood, and the word on the street is that they’re very anti-Christian. But is God leading me to pray for them? How do I respond in obedience to the “Saul” in my life?
DO:
I want to learn Ananias’ attitude. He told God what he thought, but he still went to pray for Saul, who would then become Paul. With the knowledge of Paul’s aggression and evil actions, Ananias would definitely have strong objections. Yet, he obeys. I want to learn his attitude of obedience, in the face of clear danger and uneasiness.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, there are people in the world I am uncomfortable with, yet You call me to pray and love them. Please give me Ananias’ grace and obedience to do this, even if I do not understand. May my life be used for Your work, Jesus Christ. Amen.
