Ananias—The Faithful Friend
Scripture: Acts 9:10-18
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 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.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;
Cowboy Wisdom:
Ananias had every reason to be skeptical. Saul's reputation preceded him like the dust cloud from a stampede. But when God called, Ananias saddled up and rode straight into danger. His greeting—"Brother Saul"—must have been like cool water to a man dying of thirst.
God used Ananias to bridge the gap between Saul's old life and his new one. He was the son of encouragement before Barnabas ever showed up. Sometimes God calls us to be the first friendly face to someone who needs grace, even when they don't seem to deserve it.
The best ranch hands are the ones who'll ride through a storm to bring a lost calf home, even if that calf has been nothing but trouble. That's the kind of friend everyone needs when they're starting fresh."
Questions for Reflection:
Who in your life needs an Ananias—someone to welcome them into God's family despite their past?
Are you willing to obey God even when the assignment seems risky or uncomfortable?
How can you greet others with the same grace that Ananias showed Saul?
Prayer Focus:
Pray for courage to be an Ananias to someone who needs welcome and restoration. Ask God to help you see people through His eyes, not through their reputation.
