There is a certain man in the book of Acts that I truly admire in terms of Courage to obey God. He is not as famous as the others but I love this dude! His name is Ananias. I always boast about his obedience to the Lord whenever I share about obedience. I always explain obedience in two ways in Acts chapter 9. Obedience while you already know what will happen to you from the life of Saul and obedience even you’re not exactly sure what can happen to you after you obey in the term of flesh mindset in the life of Ananias. If you all know the story Saul got blinded in the road of Damascus after Jesus showed up and guess what happened? He prayed and God showed him a man named Ananias coming and laying his hands on him so he can get well.
Acts 9: 10-11 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” If you will think about it God can just heal Saul himself but witness is always important when miracles are being done by God for the testimony of His goodness and greatness. But imagine if Ananias did not obey God and did not showed up? It is amazing that out of Ananias obedience it will be Saul answered prayer? What if Ananias got chickened out and got scared and did not go as what he was commanded with? Why am I asking about that? Look at Ananias respond to the Lord: “13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” -Acts 9:13 But even Ananias was fearful about what Saul can do unto him he COURAGEOUSLY obeyed God and went. He did exactly what God has commanded him. Was it easy for him? No! Definitely not! Have you watched those action film wherein the villain at the end of the fight asked for forgiveness so he won’t get killed? Then guess what? A betrayer blood is flowing in his veins and when the lead actor turns his back after he forgave, the villain will pick up the gun and shoot the good guy again and at the end the good guy will survive and the villain will still eventually get killed. I don’t know about you but that scene played in my mind whenever I tried to imagine Ananias fear at this moment. What if, just what if Saul still did not honour the healing of the Lord after that and still harmed Ananias. I heard many stories of miracle and healing as well that the person himself who received the miracle did not even turn his ways to follow Jesus but the witnesses did. These are true stories and it can happen to Ananias as well. Anything can happen but Ananias Chose to show COURAGE in the situation, have you wondered why? For me, it is out of the Fear of the Lord. In Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” I believe his heart honoured that no matter what happened to him he will courageously GO and Obey because it is the LORD who have commanded him. It was such an awesome display of faith to trust what he has seen in the vision was from the Lord God Our Father! So, if you are in his position, what if God is asking you to do something but you are very fearful to do it, WILL YOU STILL CHOOSE TO OBEY? Today, decide to take COURAGE AND OBEY! 😊 |
AuthorI am a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST Cleverly disguised as an Architect who loves to share my experiences and encounters with God in every simple and possible way to the people out there who needs to hear Gods' greatness and goodness. Archives
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