Instructions from God

Today's Text -- Acts 9:10 - 19

Context: Saul has just met Jesus for the first time on his way to Damascus to imprison the Christians. He's been blinded by the light from Heaven and is being led by his traveling companions into the city.

Text:
10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.
11The 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. 12In 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 saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
17Then 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." 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever been told by God to do something that seemed unusual, dangerous, or even ridiculous? I've heard stories of people who are convinced that God has told them they should send certain amounts of money to particular addresses, without any particular reason. If they obeyed, the recipient was someone who needed that specific amount for a godly purpose!

Others, like Philip and the eunich, were told to go to a certain place or talk to a specific person.

I've had similar experiences, and it's hard to explain how I knew what I was supposed to do, but it was very clear. Sometimes I obeyed, and I am haunted by the times I didn't.

I'm not aware of anyone who claims God has spoke audibly to them (but I know he could if he wanted to), yet we can be certain we are receiving instructions. In today's text, Ananias had a vision, maybe a dream, and the Lord spoke clearly to him. I like that the author of Acts has included Ananias's response. He wanted to be really sure that God wanted him to go to Saul, because if he had misunderstood the message he could have easily ended up in jail.

The Lord didn't seem to be upset with Ananias (as we know, he could have taken any one of many measures to discipline Ananias for disbelief), but he patiently explained why it was important.

He even added in that Saul was going to have to suffer a lot. You notice Ananias didn't report that to Saul...at least not in record of the conversation.

Does God give each of us instructions that cause us discomfort at different times in our lives?

If it has happened to you, think about times when you thought God was asking you to take action. How did you know it was God? Did you act, or did you miss the opportunity? If we hesitate too long, does God bring someone else into the picture so his will is ultimately met?