I find Ananias’ words to Paul very interesting.
The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the words from his mouth, since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard. (14-15)
“God has ‘appointed’ you,” Ananias said.
The word “appointed” has the idea of “handpicked.” God specially chose Paul. For what? To know his will. To see Jesus. To hear his voice. To be a witness for him.
And the same can be said of you as a Christian.
God handpicked you. To know his will. To see Jesus. To hear his voice.
“But Bruce, I don’t think I know his will. I’ve never seen Jesus. And I’ve never heard his voice.”
Actually, you already have if you are a Christian.
You came to know his will that we turn from our sin and follow him. That we become his beloved children. And every time you read his Word, you find his will for you.
You may have not physically seen Jesus or heard his voice, but he did work in your heart to the point that you believed in him. And the day will come when we will see him face to face.
But two things we should remember.
First, usually when people are handpicked, it’s because they are special. It’s because they have special qualifications that others have.
But God did not handpick us for those reasons. He handpicked us solely because of his grace. He knew you before the world began. He knew all your weaknesses, sins, and failures. And yet he said, “I choose you.”
Second, God did not choose us simply so that can enjoy a relationship with him.
Of course, he does want us to have an intimate relationship with him. But as he told Paul, he appointed us to be his witnesses. To take his gospel to a dying world.
You were handpicked by God, not to live for yourself, but for him who died for you and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
A suggestion: Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
Meditate on these words.
Because in those passages Paul fully explains what Ananias told him that day. And Paul realized Ananias’ words weren’t just for him, they were for all of us who are Christians.
All of us were handpicked by Jesus. That is truly an incredible thought.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 