HIGHEST COURAGE
Opening Prayer
Mighty God, You give hope to the hopeless, rest for the weary and security for all eternity. How great You are.
Read ACTS 9:10–19a
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
When you need courage for something, where and how do you find it? Reflect on some example in your own life or that of someone you know well.
We only have a telescoped report, but what a lot must have been shared and discussed at this historic meeting between a notorious persecutor and a humble but courageous Christian believer, of whom we hear nothing more. Ananias’s part in salvation history was behind the scenes, yet it had immense significance—only because he was willing to listen to the Lord and obey what must have seemed at first to be crazily dangerous guidance! The warmth of his character is seen in his ready welcome, “Brother!” (17). He knew that Saul was part of the Christian family now.
For Saul, Ananias’s gesture of laying on his hands was tied up with healing, reception of the Spirit and baptism, but it would also have confirmed his divine commissioning. This had been very clear (see the longer account in Acts 26:12–18). The most radical part of it was extending the Gospel to the Gentiles—something unthinkable until then, but something Saul/Paul became as fanatical about as he had been about his earlier anti-Christian stance. “To carry my name” (15, ESV) is an unusual expression, signifying bearing witness to Jesus; from the start, Saul was given to understand that it would be a costly task. No one would be able to accuse him of ulterior motives in becoming an apostle!
Do you identify with one of these men in particular? Maybe God has recently called you to a new, tough assignment for your life: perhaps to change jobs and take lower pay, or to serve him overseas, or to take on a leadership position; and you are feeling understandably overwhelmed. Or perhaps you are to be an “Ananias” for someone you find hard to approach but whom God has in his sights for a particular purpose. The need for courage is common in these tasks—but Jesus repeatedly said, “Do not be afraid” (e.g., Luke 12:4; Matt. 28:10).
Apply
What, if anything, might be holding you back from being Jesus’ instrument to bring about his purposes in someone’s life?
Closing prayer
Lord God, I thank You for those humble souls, who, through their obedience to You, have touched my life for good.
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