“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name!” Acts 9:13-16 (HCSB} I can envision Ananias asking the Lord if he really means Saul, the one who is here to imprison us and take us captive back to Israel. Probably Ananias considered Saul becoming a Christian impossible? However, God reassured him, that yes, he was to go to that very person. God was telling Ananias to tell Saul that he is a chosen instrument of God and would have to suffer for the Name of Jesus. Faith in Christ brings great blessings but often great suffering too. Paul would suffer for his faith. God calls us to commitment, not to comfort. God promises to be with us through suffering and hardship, not to spare us from them. The call to the ministry can be bittersweet. Today we have a lot of ministers who are present a gospel that contains promises for health, wealth and prosperity in your life. Yes, God does provide for us, but he has not promised us a road that will be smooth and easy. We should never tell a new believer everything will smooth and easy. As a believer we will face difficulties and hard times, but Christ will bring us through them. Every one of the early apostles suffered in their lives for Christ, but they believed it was worth it. Truly, what we go through here on earth will be worth it all. Ananias decided to obey God was worth it.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 11:45:41 +0000
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