Working Faith

February 9

Read:Acts 9:10-19

A very interesting accompaniment to Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is the story of Ananias. The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Ananias, simply that he was a disciple at Damascus. But we can surmise a great deal about him from the rest of the story.

Ananias must have been a man on speaking terms with God. He must have been a man of prayer, because when the Lord spoke to Him in a vision, there was no confusion on Ananias’ part about who was talking. The Lord said, “Ananias” and Ananias answered simply, “Behold, I am here, Lord.”

Second, Ananias must have been a man of considerable faith. Directed by God to go and lay hands on Saul of Tarsus, he immediately recognized the name. “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.” Ananias knew Saul of Tarsus was a dangerous man, especially to Christians. He voiced his concerns in verses 13 and 14. He certainly had a right to feel as he did. Yet, when the Lord said to him in verse 15, “Go thy way”, that ended the debate. Verse 17 says simply that “Ananias went his way, and did as the Lord had asked.

As nearly as I can tell, Bro. Ananias of Damascus is never mentioned again in Scripture. He rose out of anonymity to do a specific task for God, then withdrew himself backstage. Truly a disciple, he was quick to answer the Lord’s call and willing to do what He asked, even at the hazard of his own life.

Could we pray that God would give us today some of the qualities that Ananias possessed? We certainly could do with a closer relationship with the Father, one in which we have no trouble discerning his voice. Also, God grant us the faith to do His will, no matter what we may think about the pitfalls.

May we all grow a little as a result of our encounter with Ananias of Damascus.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom