Acts 9:1-2 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 9:11-15 And the Lord said unto him (Ananias), Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 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:

Can one blame Ananias for his hesitancy to go see Saul? I can’t. He was just asked to go see a persecutor and “slaughterer” of Christians. This was one mean, bad guy, who just three days ago was on his way to jail and hurt Christians. However, the Lord knew the potential. And thank the Lord Ananias obeyed, for the world was changed because of it.

Sometimes the Lord will send us to work with “hard cases”. More than a couple times in my life I’ve been called to work with these hard cases. These are the ones that, others look and question why you’re working with them. These are they that, at face value, look like they have no potential for the Lord. They are rough around the edges. Their family situation is no good, or downright horrible. They have a bad background. Or there are other undesirables that they bring to the table. I thank the Lord that He didn’t choose us based on our “desirable” characteristics.

My prayer this morning is that I’d be willing to work with those Christ calls us to work with – the bound, brokenhearted, the captives, the sinners, and those that others might deem as “hard cases”. Let us remember the Word of God, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”