“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,” (Acts 9:11)
It’s a little confusing when people in the Bible have similar names and we’re not sure who it was written about. There are three men named Ananias. One was a member of the early church in Jerusalem who lied along with his wife Sapphira about the money they were giving and were struck dead. Another Ananias was part of the Sanhedrin council that presided over the trial of Paul when he went to Jerusalem and preached causing a mob uprising. And the third Ananias lived in Damascus, a believer in Jesus.
It was the third Ananias who was commanded by Jesus to go to Saul, later called Paul and to pray for him to receive his sight. Saul a Jewish zealot had letters and documents permitting him to arrests Christians in Damascus and take them to Jerusalem to be jailed. There are a few things in our Scripture of study on which to meditate.
Ananias heard the voice of the Lord. Whether that voice was audible or in his spirit, the Scripture doesn’t specify. I am always surprised that if anyone says they heard from the Lord, people and also other Christians look at one as if they were aliens. But the Lord does speak to people. It can be through the Word of God in meditation and prayer of the Word. It may be in the spirit, like an urging and confirmed by other things. Or it can be a loud audible voice. I remember I was praying for something I wanted. And I heard the Lord in a very loud and audible voice say, “Do you think you are prepared to receive it?” I had been persistent, but I could perceive the Lord’s rebuke. I was not ready to receive what I wanted. All circumstances were not conducive neither. The Lord knew I wanted what was in His Will, but although I had no business praying for what I wanted, I had still asked for this thing persistently.
I am amazed at how specific the Lord is in his instructions to Ananias. I have never received specifics like this in anything I felt was an endeavor commanded by the Lord. It’s usually been a step-by-step thing of faith. Take a step of faith and another step of faith is revealed. In the following verse, the Lord gives Ananias further detail. “And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.” (Acts 9:12) Ananias has his instructions and is obedient even though a little hesitant because Saul’s reputation as an enemy of the Lord was widespread and known.
Another point in this Scripture to study is the last phrase. It seems that it was inserted for a specific reason, since it wasn’t necessary to disclose that Saul was praying, “for, behold, he prayeth.” “For behold” gives us the impression that this was an important thing to point out to Ananias. In his praying Saul had a vision of Ananias going to him and praying that he receive his sight. When the Lord told Ananais “for behold, he prayeth,” it’s like the Lord is saying to Ananias, and you’re the answer to his prayer.
The Lord has all things under control. What are you praying for? God is preparing the people and circumstances for the answer. You may say, I pray, but I have not received an answer to my prayer. I must ask you, what is the business of your life? If you are a born again of God Christian who has made Jesus Lord and Savior, your business is God’s business. And your prayers are God’s business. He is very concerned where the business of the kingdom is being carried out. Both Ananias and Saul had a vision. Ananias had a vision where God spoke to him and gave him instructions to go to Saul. And Saul had a vision of Ananias coming to him and putting his hand on him to receive his sight. Both Ananias and Saul had a part in God’s will. We don’t see visions anymore and I wonder if it’s because we are not about doing God’s will. Yes, it’s God’s will to work and provide for our families. It’s God’s will to be about helping and leading in the church. But are we about God’s business and intentional about the mission, commission and commandment He’s given us? If we are not, then seeing a vision is not in our future.
Believe me, I see the brethren too caught up in the life of this world. It can’t be helped. It takes focus, commitment and determination to be intentionally mission minded all the time. How do I know? I know because as much as I want to be intentionally mission minded, I lose my focus. And before I know it, I’ve missed some God sent opportunities because I get caught up in the life of this world. God help us. Like twelve-year-old Jesus said, “... I must be about my Father's business.” (Luke 2:49) And we must be about our Father's business. When our life is wrapped up in the business of God’s kingdom, I believe we will see visions and God will speak to us in dramatic ways.
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