The Instruction of God
There is a wonderful story of God directing in mission through an instruction which then propelled amazing growth. My commentary is in italics.
In the Acts of the Apostles it says “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” I am so glad God knows us by first name. “And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” Here we have echoes of Samuel’s response to God speaking to him.”And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” This is a very precise instruction. But then we get the fear turning up in the story “But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to Thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Thy Name.” Fear causes us to freeze, fight or flee. But there is some negotiation space with God for he answers, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.” Who is God instructing you to invite? Invite someone today to take a closer look at Christ and his church.
