When You Make it to the City It will be Alright – Part 2
8. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
9. For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything.
10. In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “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 named Saul, for he is praying.”
12. “In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on 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 in Jerusalem.”
14. “And He has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your Name.”
15. “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My Name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”
16. “I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name.”
17. Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on 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.”
Acts 9:8-17 NIV
The Trust Factor
Although some may not care to admit it, we all have trust issues. Sometimes it has to do with a lack of confidence that God will protect us in the trial. With that being said, many of our prayers are based on avoidance of any conflict, struggle, or hardship that we may encounter in life. Thus we pray, “Lord, just keep us safe.” While the lack of trust may seem innocent on the surface, the consequences are enormous in that we will have problems in hearing the Voice of God that calls us into any situations that we deem unsafe.
Some other trust issues are the result of our leaning on past experience or what we might call the facts. Like Ananias, we will conduct our investigative work to determine if it is alright for us to get involved. Based on the Scripture text, Ananias had no problems with answering the Lord’s initial call, but when the Lord mentioned the name Saul, that’s when the ‘red flags’ went up. Ananias trusted the Lord, but he did not trust Saul. It wasn’t until the Lord explained what was happening in Saul’s life, that Ananias’ concerns were addressed that he could proceed in faith. This is important to us today. We are in a place where it is hard to trust anyone. It is hard to trust politicians. It is hard to trust even your banker. It is hard sometimes to trust your family members. Why? Because at their best, they are only human and will sometimes let you down. Some would even say, “it is hard to trust the Pastor.” Let me calm your fears with this word. You don’t need to trust man – just trust in God. That trust begins at a place called obedience.
Consider the trust factor in the life of Saul. He was told by Jesus, to go into the city and he would be told what to do next. Did he take those words as a suggestion or as a course to be followed? Let’s find out. According to Acts 9:8, he followed the course or direction that was given by the Lord. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. Here is where the way became increasingly difficult; Saul had to wait. How long? That he did not know, but what we do know is that he took spiritual action by fasting. For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything. I believe it has to do with another trust factor. Remain totally dependent on God and not your own understanding.
Let me remind you that many of us have been guilty of starting off in the direction that God sends us, but then taking the detour or short cut to get to the destination. The fasting is of course, a means of weakening the physical body in order to draw strength spiritually. It can also be viewed as a discipline to master the cravings of the body. We are not told why Paul fasted, but we do know that he did not eat nor did he drink for three days. He also prayed that time in order to understand what was happening in his life. It all involved trusting in God.
Is it possible for believers to love God and yet not trust God? There is an account in John’s Gospel where Peter and the other Disciples seemed to have lost their direction following the death and Resurrection of Jesus. They knew that Jesus had risen because they had seen Him. They also knew that Jesus had a plan to use them in ministry. What they did not know is how it would start nor did they have the ability to move forward towards that goal. So, what did they do? They went fishing. Upon Peter’s suggestion, they went back to doing what they knew how to do. They were fishermen. Isn’t that just like us? We lean back to our old standards, our old go-to-remedies, or even just doing nothing. Trust involves having faith in God in times of uncertainty knowing that God may not move according to our schedule but He will always do things according to His Will. Contrast the Disciples on the sea in search of fish versus Saul searching to find God’s Will. Which of the two were demonstrating their trust in God? It was Saul, even though he was not yet filled with the Holy Spirit. Now that Saul had ‘made it to the City,’ he was now waiting to learn what to do.
Don’t Miss the Details
Here is the good news. Believers are not left alone to figure out their own direction when it comes to trusting God. We are required to pay attention. So often we can miss the prompting of God by not paying attention to the small details. Things were happening in the Spirit that the human mind could not even conceive. To the world they may have looked insignificant and even innocent, but not so to God.
In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes Lord,” he answered … The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying” … “In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Did you notice any details in those passages? First, was the location; something was taking place on Straight Street. As they say in real estate, there are three things that are important: location, location, location. It is not important that you be right, prove you are right, or even get recognition for being right. It is important that you be in the place where God would have you to serve. Notice, The Lord told Ananias to go to Judas’ house located on Straight Street. As events take place in our lives, it is absolutely critical that we arrive at the right place spiritually and that is placing our confidence in God’s Word. When things begin to happen in our life get the right Scripture to apply to that event. If it is suffering, then find a Scripture passage that deals with suffering. If it is sin, then find a Scripture that deals with sin. Otherwise, you will find your self getting confused over which street to turn on and what to believe. Opinions are everywhere but you must make sure that you are searching for the Truth to stand on.
I recently noticed a sign on the back of a dump truck that said, “Work Truck – Do Not Follow.” Why would that truck have that sign and what did it mean? It finally dawned on me that I was not to follow that truck as a lead to my destination. That truck and its driver were doing their job and I needed to not try to follow them to my destination. There was another truck that said, “Lead Vehicle – Follow Me.” It involves paying attention to details.
The Lord then instructed Ananias to ask for a person named Saul. This is the second detail to God’s instructions involving the person in need. Regardless of his record of assaults on the Church and approval orders from the high priests, Saul was in need. The Lord explained to Ananias that Saul could not see and was praying for directions. Isn’t if funny how we look at the “who” as a threat and God looks at the “who” as a soul in despair. If the Church is to understand ministry it needs to understand one critical fact: being a fisher of men does not mean that you will find the fish already cleaned. With that being said, I’m just glad that God looks beyond our fault and sees our need. Ministry is not about what we can do to be recognized for our spiritual gift. Ministry is not about who can attract the largest crowd or make the greatest presentation. Ministry is and always has been about helping people in need. Anyone who does not understand the need does not understand the essence of real ministry. Saul had come to the city for help and God had picked one of His followers to provide that help. What about our city? Will we be the one picked by God to pick someone up in their time of need?
The third detail to God’s instructions was the plan. God had a plan for Saul’s future. Ananias had reservations because of Saul’s past. The Lord had to inform him that it was not about Saul’s record but it was about his future role. If there is one pet peeve that I have with the Church is that they love to judge people’s future by never letting them forget their past. That is not only unfair, but also ungodly. If God forgives, what gives the Church the right to hold the sins of people over their head if they are trying to change? Notice how the Lord shared with Ananias the information he needed to complete his mission and even more. God shared with Ananias that Saul was chosen by God for the ministry of sharing the Gospel with the Gentiles.
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My Name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” … “I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name” … Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on 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.”
These verses provide reassurance for us as we reach out and share that same encouragement to the world as they try to find that Celestial City. Jesus told Ananias the second time to “Go.” First, every believer must take action. This is important work. If God picked Ananias, we can rest assured that He has an assignment for everyone. The street you journey on may be different but it is critical that you follow God’s direction and take action. Go, for the Lord is with you. Go, for there is someone in need. Go, for your journey will not be in vain.
Second, be a faithful representative of Christ. The first words out of Ananias mouth to Saul was a greeting as well as his mission. “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me …” Ananias did not go to Saul to rebuke him. Ananias did not go to Saul to teach the culture of Damascus. Ananias went to Saul as a representative of Jesus Christ. As we would say in the country, “he stated his business and that business was the Lord Jesus.”
Lastly, if we are to provide encouragement to others as they try to reach that Celestial City, we must give people what we have received. Introduce people to the Holy Spirit. It is imperative that we tell people that they cannot reach God without the direction and control of the Holy Spirit. Reading the Bible is good but you will never understand a Word apart from the Holy Spirit teaching its Truth. Praying is good, but prayer does not work without the Holy Spirit interceding. Trying to live the good life is wonderful, but every effort will fail unless the Holy Spirit is guiding and directing with His Power. Thank God, we can all be on our way to that Celestial City as we trust God more, serve others in love, and lean upon the Power of God’s Spirit every step of the way.
Thank God for His Spirit.