Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.
Introduction
God doesn’t mind interrupting our lives.
We are unable to improve God’s plans for us, and it’s unwise of us to try. Jesus interrupted Saul’s life in every possible way—from stopping his physical body in the middle of the road to the very intentions and desires of his heart. Finding himself in an unexpected place of dependence, Saul had no idea what to do so he just started talking to God. And God continued that conversation for three days.
Similarly, God interrupted Ananias’ life for a calling that seemed frightening and impossible. He was terrified. Nothing about God’s request made sense. Ananias had a hard time trusting. He needed to struggle through the evidence stacked up against the call. So Ananias had a conversation with God and emerged in faith that propelled him to action and brotherly love for an enemy.
Is God interrupting your life right now? Perhaps he is calling you in a new direction for his glory, or putting an obstacle in your path of sin. Perhaps he’s asking you to take a step that feels risky. Begin, like Saul and Ananias, with talking to God. Heart change happens while we are spending time with our Father. He hears, knows, and will lead us. When we honestly pour out our heart’s concerns to him, our Father lovingly displays his character so we can learn to trust him. Then, like Saul and Ananias, we can submit with replenished trust and go forward in the strength of God’s power.
Observation
- Paraphrase Saul’s story, beginning with his experience on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1. What new details do we learn about Saul’s conversion in Acts 9:10–19? Describe the conversation between Jesus and Ananias.
- What was Saul doing—and not doing—while he waited three days?
- Called out of his murderous path in one miraculous moment, what was Saul’s new calling according to 9:15–16?
- What do we learn about Ananias and his faith in verses 10–19? Read Acts 22:12 for more insight into Ananias.
- How does God describe Saul’s new identity to Ananias? In what active ways does Ananias’ response show that he believes God?
Interpretation
- Read Acts 22:3–5 and 26:9–11. Describe what specific life ambitions Saul had before he met Jesus. How did these change following his conversion? Read Acts 26:16–18, Galatians 1:15–24, and 1 Timothy 1:12–16 and discuss further details of Saul’s calling as he describes it.
- What is Ananias’ internal conflict about God’s command to visit Saul? What prompted these concerns?
- As Ananias and Saul meet, God is bringing brothers together. Read 1 John 4:19–21 and 1 Thessalonians 2:8. Why is it significant that in Acts 9:17, Ananias not only believes who Saul is in the sight of Christ but also in relation to himself?
- Did God need Ananias to go to Saul and lay his hands on him? Why include Ananias in his plan? What can we learn from this as we respond to God’s call in our lives?
- Read 2 Corinthians 4:1–12 and 2 Timothy 2:20–21. Consider Ananias and Saul as “chosen instruments” or “jars of clay,” both metaphors for being useful in God’s work. What does it mean to be a chosen instrument? What can we interpret from Saul’s (Paul’s) words in these passages?
Application
- How is God interrupting your life right now—i.e., for an immediate ministry that you were not looking for (like Ananias) or to stop you in your sin (like Saul)?
- Talking to God changed Ananias’ mind, gave him faith, moved him to action, and gave him unexpected love for someone he previously feared. Do you think of prayer this way? As a believer, when you are fighting your fears or your flesh, how do you struggle to talk things out with God and let him transform you?
- Ananias was not involved in Saul’s spiritual progress until the moment God asked him to be obedient to his request. How can you trust God’s timing with difficult or bold conversations? What will you do today to emulate Ananias’ example?
- God helped Ananias to see Saul in a new light and treat him as a brother. Who in your life has God already given a new identity to, but in your relationship with them, you continue in your fleshly struggle to see them as they were or judge them by their imperfect demonstration of their new identity? What changes need to take place in your relationship? What might God’s grace look like in this situation?
This devotion is adapted from the Acts Study Guide: Chapter 6–11. Pick up a copy today for only $9.99. The Study Guide includes an 11-week curriculum with small group studies, group inductive studies, as well as 55 daily devotions for your personal or family worship.
