22.231 | A Chosen Instrument | Acts 9:10-19 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Acts 9:10 -19 ESV

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 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. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

A CHOSEN INSTRUMENT

Definitely, God has humbled Saul. God had cause him to fall from the horse and became blind. Helpless, he needed to reach out to God. Thus, God saw him, “Behold he is praying.” Is there any better response apart from pleading God’s mercy as Jacob did when his pelvic bone was broken?

God can help him directly by Himself but God does use a man, Ananias. He tasked him by saying, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” [v.11,12]

Ananias has had reservations if he got it right. Thus, he spoke his mind, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” We should be thinking like him if we were in his place, should we not? Saul is the last person everyone thought to be saved.

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.” These words might be hard to understand. Nevertheless, Ananias obeyed. God’s ways are higher than ours. And His words are perfect.

Ananias ministered to Saul as the Lord said. He even called Saul his brother now. He said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.

Let’s not write off people today because of their attitudes towards us believers. Most of them like Paul are zealous and sincere in their religion until God opens their eyes. If a persecutor like Saul was saved, no sinner should be at the threshold of impossible. The gospel is still powerful unto salvation to those who believed.

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