Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in 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 vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."
Acts 9:13-16
Last time we imagined how incredible it must have been for Ananias to live out his days knowing that he was given the privilege to pray for Saul after his conversion, resulting in the reversal of his blindness. But turn back the hands of the clock. What must it have been like for Ananias when he initially received the Lord’s call to go meet and pray for the evil Saul of Tarsus? We do not have to wonder! Scripture tells us.
Ananias was aware that Saul was on his way to persecute the Church—including Ananias! Did Ananias immediately begin praising the Lord? Not a chance! Ananias questioned the Lord’s instructions.
Paraphrasing: “WHAT! Saul of Tarsus? Don’t You know that that evil man is coming to persecute your people?”
I do not believe Ananias’s question was intended as a challenge to God (which is not good). Rather, I think it was the honest response of a real person in real life anticipating real danger (which is not bad).
It is not bad to ask God questions as long as they are not rebellious challenges leveled against Him. For instance, it is perfectly reasonable when overtaken by a difficulty to ask: “Lord I do not understand Your intentions regarding this difficulty. I trust You, but please help me understand and teach me what you want me to learn.” What we do not want to do is question God as though He is wrong and we are in a position to demand answers.
Though God owed Ananias no explanation, He reassured Ananias that he had not misunderstood the instructions and it was indeed God’s plan for him to pay a visit to Saul. God never owes any of us explanations either. But when we ask appropriately, sometimes He will let us in on His purposes. And if not? It is time once again to trust the Lord. In His time, His plan and purpose will be understood—even if it is much later, or even in glory.