When God Elaborates
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Acts 9:10-18 (NKJV)
Saul, who had been ardently persecuting Christians because he thought they were blaspheming God, had an encounter with Jesus as he traveled to Damascus. In that encounter, he lost his physical sight, but was born-again. His traveling companions had led him to Damascus where he was praying. God had shown him that a man named Ananias would come and minister to him so his sight could be restored. But God still had to send Ananias to do this. What if Ananias refused to go?
Ananias is described as a disciple. A disciple is one who learns, a pupil. A disciple follows his teacher, meaning he followed Christ and was obedient to the Lord. When the Lord spoke to him in a vision, he said, “Here I am, Lord,” indicating that he was listening and ready to obey.
When he was given his instruction from the Lord, Ananias was hesitant and voiced his concern that Saul had authority to arrest Christians, showing that he was worried that he would be arrested. God did not chastise him for this, but elaborated on the reason he was being sent to Saul. God explained that Saul was chosen by Him to take His name to many people. His explanation to Ananias gave Ananias confidence to go to Saul and lay hands on him as directed.
God knew Ananias’ heart. He knew he was devoted to Him and wanted to obey Him. He understood that Ananias knew Saul’s’ reputation and was not totally convinced that Saul was no longer persecuting believers. So, God gave him the extra information to show him that He was going to use Saul for His glory. Anaias was not unbelieving- he knew God was speaking to him and giving him direction. However, what the Lord was telling him did not seem to make sense based on what he had heard about Saul. So, God elaborated on it to assure him that Saul was indeed the one He was going to use. And Ananias obeyed without further discussion. He laid his hands on Saul, who would later be known as the Apostle Paul, his sight was restored, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Consider this: Ananias will receive heavenly rewards based on what the Apostle Paul has accomplished because he was obedient to minister to Paul to help him get started in the faith. Ananias has a part in every person who has ever been touched by the ministry of the Apostle Paul- and that includes you and me- because we receive instruction and inspiration from the New Testament, most of which was written by Paul. Big rewards come through our obedience.
God doesn’t reject us when we ask questions or don’t always understand what He is doing. He explained to Ananias what He was going to do with Saul, just as He explained to the virgin Mary what he was going to do with her. And He will explain to us when we need additional information. When our hearts are looking to please Him, but we don’t completely understand His will, He will elaborate and give us more information. However, notice that God did not tell Ananias every single detail, but gave him just enough information so he knew what he needed to do. He always expects us to walk by faith, and He will leave some things out so we have to trust Him.
Do we have hearts ready and willing to obey the Lord when He speaks to us? If so, He will use us and will give us all the information needed to do what He’s telling us to do.
