Wednesday, July 28

Read

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Acts ‭9:10-17‬ 

Reflect

Ever had God ask you to do something terrifying?! This was that moment for Ananias. Saul’s reputation had preceded him, and he had every Jesus-follower spooked. Even if they knew God was bigger, the evidence of Saul’s terror was irrefutable. God asks us to engage in ways that are scary, unprecedented, maybe even seem foolish. But what Ananias didn’t know (until he actively chose obedience) was that God was already at work in Saul, and God is already at work in the people we are called to love. Regardless of their reputation or track-record, or our probability of success, the truth is that God has called them worthy, and He’s invited us into the miracle-making process!

Pray

God, we pray for our enemies and those who have wronged us. In Your great mercy, show us Your love for them.