There's No Such Thing as a Nobody in God's Kingdomਨਮੂਨਾ

Truth Teller

“Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ 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.’

Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem’…But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel’…And Ananias went…”. Acts 9:10-17 (NKJV)

When we hear the name Ananias, our minds often fly to the man married to Saphira, slain for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5). Or to the high priest who commanded that Paul be struck on the mouth for his testimony (Acts 23).

But our Ananias in Acts 9 was a disciple of the Lord Jesus in Damascus who braved the confrontation with Paul, placed his hands upon him, and spoke truth. As he did, scales fell from Paul’s eyes; he regained his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias feared man but trusted God to use him. He obeyed, and eight verses later, he vanished from the narrative about Paul.

God calls His servants to obey the tasks He has given them. They obey, and the only One who matters sees. Perhaps no one else sees, notices, or cares. But the impact of obedience could be the catalyst for something huge in God’s economy. The smallest or largest act of obedience done for the Lord has eternal consequences. And one day, He will reward the obedient. It is this reward that is to be cast at the Savior’s feet in thanksgiving for using our small acts of obedience to glorify Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the times You call us to obedience. May we be faithful to hear, obey, and then get out of the way. We thank You for using us to glorify Your name and to be a part of Your greater kingdom work. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.