Acts 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
This passage of scripture shows us the right attitude we should all cultivate in our relationship with The Lord, for there are times when the commands of God seem to go against the grain of human reasoning and knowledge. In this instance, Ananias referred to what was a valid concern about Paul, who had been just recently, in hot pursuit of the members of the newly formed Christian church. To his finite mind it seemed improbable that the relentless persecutor of Christians should then become a chosen vessel by God, to lead many of the same people in the ways or righteousness and peace.
God understood Ananias' concerns and reassured him that His plan of action was made in the best interest of the Gentiles, who also needed to be instructed in the way of salvation. The consequent willingness to obey God's directive, on the part of Ananias is worthy of note, for it displays one of the most important and fundamental characteristics necessary to an ongoing relationship with Christ.
There are times in our experience when we may think that we know the best route to be taken in circumstances that warrant urgent attention, yet we often find that God's method of handling the same situation is vastly different to what we thought was right. It is at times like these when we should walk humbly with God, allowing Him to lead us in the way that He sees best, and not forcing our way, or limiting His options by our own human logic and finite reasoning. This attitude of willingness to follow where God leads the way is of critical importance, especially when the decision to marry is being contemplated. Mr Right may come along saying the right things a woman loves to hear, and for all intents and purposes it may seem to one's finite reasoning that this would be a match made in heaven, and because of his manifestations of love and claims of devotion, a hasty decision may be made to tie the knot in marriage.
However, The Lord says not so fast, but rather give Him time to direct us in the ways of His choosing, for just as in the case of Ananias, we may be wrong in the conclusions we draw, yet if we are willing to obey what God is willing to teach us, we can often be saved from making mistakes that can cause considerable heartache in the future.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to trust the wisdom and guidance of God so that His good will towards us may be fulfilled in due season. Let's read:
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
May God grant to us today, a ready mind and a willing heart to follow where He leads the way. God bless!