Acts 9

How many times did God try to get Saul’s attention? It’s interesting to read this story in context because mostly, I’ve only ever read about the experience Saul had on the road to Damascus. Looking back over the last few day’s worth of readings, I note that Saul appears in those stories as well. I believe that God may have been trying to get his attention through the testimony of Stephen, and Saul just wasn’t listening. Apparently, something sunk in, though, because this passage tells us that he immediately began “proving” that Jesus was the Messiah. So, does need to hire a sky writer or etch a message in the side of a mountain or knock you off of a horse and blind you to get your attention?

I hope not, and that’s really the point of this passage, I think. Contrast Saul to the other players in this chapter. Saul is the only one that got knocked off his horse and blinded. Basically, he’s the only one that had a radical encounter with God, but he’s not the only one to have an encounter.

Ananias was listening when God told him to visit Saul. He didn’t like what he was being told. He was afraid of Saul and might have even thought that either he or God was going a loony. Maybe the cell connection was bad that day, and Ananias was sure that he just heard static. I don’t know, but Ananias walked out on faith and went to Saul. He didn’t need a big bright light. He didn’t need to be knocked on his rear. He didn’t need to be overwhelmed by the power of God. He just obeyed.

Peter, also, in his visit to Lydda and Joppa encountered God, and other as well through Peter. There was no loud noise or bright light mentioned when Aeneas was healed or when Tabitha was resurrected. Peter simply moved in faith at the direction of the Holy Spirit, and those he encountered experienced the soft gentleness of God.

Sometimes, God has to get our attention like He did with Saul, but I think most times he prefers to work in more subtle manner like with Ananias and Peter preferring that we just follow His lead and trust. Do you trust God even when He asks to minister to someone you don’t like? Or someone you’re afraid of? Do you trust God enough to let Him work miracles through you like Peter?