I would not have wanted to be Ananias. In Acts 9, the Lord tells him to go to Damascus and find a man named Saul. Ananias protests and says, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints” (verse 13). However, Ananias is told that Saul has been prepared for his arrival. On the way to Damascus, Saul had seen a blinding light, he heard the voice of Jesus and now he was waiting for God’s messenger to come to him. With that knowledge, Ananias goes. He teaches Saul and baptizes him and one of the worst enemies of the faith becomes its biggest promoter (You likely know “Saul” better by his Gentile name, “Paul”).
One chapter earlier, Philip is told to go and meet a man from Ethiopia. This man is riding in a chariot and is reading from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. When Philip approaches he asks, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30). When the man says that he does not, Philip explains the passage and tells the man “the good news about Jesus” (verse 35). Eventually, they come to some water and the man asks Philip to baptize him. The man, then, “went on his way, rejoicing” (verse 39).
Now, here is the question: What ties these two stories together?
The answer: God was working on both of these men long before his messengers got there.
In Saul’s case, he was trained in the Old Testament scriptures. He had the benefit of his Jewish heritage. He knew about God and wanted to serve him. He met Jesus on the road to Damascus. The man from Ethiopia was on his way home from worshipping at the temple in Jerusalem. He was reading the word of God. Neither of these men responded to the message about Jesus “cold turkey”. They had been prepared to hear what the messengers presented.
So, let me ask you this: Do you think that God is still working with people, preparing them to hear his message? Do you believe that God is active and is still trying to get people’s attention? If you read Luke chapter 15 (the parable about the “Lost coin”, the “Lost sheep” and the “Lost son”) you certainly get the picture that God is not passively sitting around waiting. Rather, he is searching, working and calling to people all the time.
Our job, as His messengers, then is to simply to do our little part when we have the opportunity.
You may be surprised at who has been prepared to listen.
One chapter earlier, Philip is told to go and meet a man from Ethiopia. This man is riding in a chariot and is reading from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. When Philip approaches he asks, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30). When the man says that he does not, Philip explains the passage and tells the man “the good news about Jesus” (verse 35). Eventually, they come to some water and the man asks Philip to baptize him. The man, then, “went on his way, rejoicing” (verse 39).
Now, here is the question: What ties these two stories together?
The answer: God was working on both of these men long before his messengers got there.
In Saul’s case, he was trained in the Old Testament scriptures. He had the benefit of his Jewish heritage. He knew about God and wanted to serve him. He met Jesus on the road to Damascus. The man from Ethiopia was on his way home from worshipping at the temple in Jerusalem. He was reading the word of God. Neither of these men responded to the message about Jesus “cold turkey”. They had been prepared to hear what the messengers presented.
So, let me ask you this: Do you think that God is still working with people, preparing them to hear his message? Do you believe that God is active and is still trying to get people’s attention? If you read Luke chapter 15 (the parable about the “Lost coin”, the “Lost sheep” and the “Lost son”) you certainly get the picture that God is not passively sitting around waiting. Rather, he is searching, working and calling to people all the time.
Our job, as His messengers, then is to simply to do our little part when we have the opportunity.
You may be surprised at who has been prepared to listen.
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