THE LORD’S CHOSEN INSTRUMENT, Sarah Barry
THE LORD'S CHOSEN INSTRUMENT
Passage: Acts 9:10~19a  
Key verse: 15,16
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(A) “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(B) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(C) him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(D) in Jerusalem.(E) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(F) to arrest all who call on your name.”(G)
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(H) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(I) and their kings(J) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(K)
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(L) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(M) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(N) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples(O) in Damascus.(P)
Cross references
- Acts 9:10 : Ac 10:3, 17, 19; 12:9; 16:9, 10; 18:9
- Acts 9:11 : ver 30; Ac 11:25; 21:39; 22:3
- Acts 9:12 : S Mk 5:23
- Acts 9:13 : ver 32; Ac 26:10; Ro 1:7; 15:25, 26, 31; 16:2, 15; Eph 1:1; Php 1:1
- Acts 9:13 : S Ac 8:3
- Acts 9:14 : ver 2, 21
- Acts 9:14 : S Ac 2:21
- Acts 9:15 : Ac 13:2; Ro 1:1; Gal 1:15; 1Ti 1:12
- Acts 9:15 : Ro 11:13; 15:15, 16; Gal 1:16; 2:7, 8
- Acts 9:15 : Ac 25:22, 23; 26:1
- Acts 9:16 : Ac 20:23; 21:11; 2Co 6:4-10; 11:23-27; 2Ti 1:8; 2:3, 9
- Acts 9:17 : S Ac 6:6
- Acts 9:17 : S Lk 1:15
- Acts 9:18 : S Ac 2:38
- Acts 9:19 : S Ac 11:26
- Acts 9:19 : Ac 26:20
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. A man named Ananias (10-14)
Saul was an infamous enemy of the gospel. The believers in Damascus were steeling themselves for his coming. They did not know that he had met the Risen Jesus, that he was blind and helpless and needed a shepherd. So when God called Ananias to go and help him, Ananias hesitated.
2. My chosen instrument (15-16)
God told Ananias that he had chosen Saul and wanted to use him to bring the gospel to the Gentiles as well as to the people of Israel. Saul would suffer for Jesus' sake. The zealous Pharisee was not a likely person to become an evangelist to the Gentiles. God sometimes chooses unlikely people, and gives them jobs they don't seem to fit.
3. An obedient shepherd (17-19a)
Ananias overcame his fear and feelings, obeyed God and went. He called Saul, 'Brother.' He prayed for him and fed him. Saul's sight was restored and he was baptized into the Christian fellowship.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be obedient to your word, so that you can use me as your instrument.
One Word: God's chosen instrument