23/03/2015 - WHAT IF ANANIAS HAD REFUSED…

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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.” Acts 9:11-12

The great plan of God for Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul, wouldn’t have come to be if Ananias had disobeyed the Lord. The entire plan to turn him into a minister of the New Testament depended on the positive response from Ananias to the divine order. How many are losing the best of the Most High for not accepting His commandments? Some, unfortunately, prefer to walk by themselves.

Those who walk in accordance with the Lord’s direction don’t have a land of their own and don’t take into account the situation of the places where they are sent by God, and neither are they influenced by the threats of Hell. Those people are pleasing the Father in everything and, therefore, their requests are met when they pray, and even if they are unaware of the plans of the evil one, they are protected by the Almighty (Psalm 97:10). The saved must always allow the Holy Spirit to guide them.

God speaks to His youth through visions; to the elders through dreams and the sons and daughters of the Most High prophesy as a benefit for being baptized in the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28). This promise is meant for all those the Lord calls, whether near or far. The divine call is perceived by hearing the preaching of the Word or the reading of the Scriptures. Those who leave everything behind them when they are called become part of a special group: the disciples of Jesus.

We do not know how long it took for Ananias to be prepared, but undoubtedly he was instructed to be an approved worker who didn’t need to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). That should be the willingness of the saved one because the Father sees ahead and certainly has prepared many wonderful works in which His servants will be used. If Ananias had not obeyed, what would have happened to Saul?

It’s not a good idea to frustrate the Most High. He called Ananias, who was filled with fear for a while, but upon hearing God’s explanations, he got up and went to meet his new brother in Christ. While He summoned Ananias, the Lord caused Saul to have a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and praying for him (Acts 9:13-18). The work was done because of the obedience of a disciple.

Everything happened as shown to Ananias and Saul. Do not flee from the mission the Almighty gives you because you will see that what you have to do is to believe without fear. Never be put off by the enemy’s lies. He will try to limit your faith and your commitment to the Lord. Today, sadly, many have fallen into this trap, and because they haven’t completely submitted to the Most High they are forgotten by Him.

God gives no rise to doubts concerning His commands. In His vision, Saul saw Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him for him to see. If Ananias had refused to fulfill the divine command, the Lord would have been frustrated. Failure to obey the Almighty is something very serious.

In Christ with Love,

R. R. Soares