Acts 9:11 And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul… We live in a world of changes. Seedtime and harvest, summer and winter, etc. Human affairs are as variable as the seasons. But no changes are so important and interesting as those of a moral nature. It is painful to see a fellow creature proceeding from evil to evil; but how pleasing is it to see a sinner plucked as a brand from the burning! To one of these remarkable changes we are referred in the text, from which we are led to remark — I. THAT THE LORD KNOWS WHERE WE ARE AND HOW WE ARE ENGAGED. What was this house of Judas? An inn? If so, it was a sad situation for a man in spiritual distress; and never did an inn before or since accommodate such a passenger. Perhaps it was a private dwelling belonging to one of his acquaintances. If so, what would be the emotions of the family as he entered! But however this may be, the Lord knew — the street — the very house in which he was; and what he was doing there. It would be easy to multiply similar instances, e.g., that of Cornelius and Peter, Nathanael, Zacchaeus. He knew how to guide Cornelius in sending to Joppa for Peter. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Let sinners think of it; and never dream of secresy in their guilt. Let hearers think of it; and remember that God is privy to all the workings of their minds while in His worship. Let the righteous believe this; and remember that though they are poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon them. And, oh! thou dejected penitent, think of this and be comforted. "To this man will I look," etc. II. HOWEVER THE LORD MAY TRY THEM, HE WILL NOT SUFFER PRAYING SOULS TO CALL UPON HIM IN VAIN. Saul was deprived of sight; and thus all his gloomy thoughts were turned inward upon himself, and the anguish of his mind was such, that he probably could eat nothing. All that he had heard was this, "It shall be told thee what thou must do": but this was general, and capable of various explanations. But says the Church, "Come, and let us return to the Lord...in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." And here this was literally accomplished. "I never said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me, in vain." Joseph was a type of the Redeemer. His behaviour to his brethren was for a time apparently very unkind. But the trial was necessary: and at length giving way to the compassion which his prudence had restrained before, he said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt — but be not grieved." Thus Christ leaves Saul three days without comfort; but it was in order to lay deep the foundation of a superstructure that was to rise so high. And all the time Saul was praying, He was hearing; and longing to succour and relieve Him. What is the use you ought to make of this? To persevere. God's delays are not denials. He has reasons for what we deem severity, founded in a regard to our welfare. You cannot be in a worse condition than David was: but hear him. "I waited patiently for the Lord," etc. Say not, therefore, "My hope is perished from the Lord — why should I wait for Him any longer?" If you draw back, you are sure of destruction; but if you go forward, you are certain of success. Ask, and it shall be given you, etc. Perhaps some messenger of mercy is now on his way. III. THOUGH THE LORD CAN ACCOMPLISH HIS WORK WITHOUT HUMAN INSTRUMENTALITY, HE IS PLEASED TO MAKE USE OF IT. The voice from heaven could have told Saul at once what he must do — but a messenger shall be employed. He could have sent an angel — but he shall learn it from the lips of a man of like passions with himself. His terror would not make him afraid. With him he could hold free intercourse and familiar conversation. He could speak to him from his own experience; and therefore sympathise with him. It would be also useful to Ananias as well as to Saul. By doing good to others we benefit ourselves. It certainly was designed to prevent our undervaluing means, under a notion of depending on Divine agency. Here let us however beware of two extremes. Let us not, on the one hand, overlook instruments in relying on God; nor, on the other, overlook God in using instruments. It is not the sun that warms us, but He by the sun: it is not food that sustains us, but He by food. "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos," etc. IV. THINGS DONE IN OUR OWN APPREHENSION, AND IN THE OPINION OF OTHERS, ARE FREQUENTLY NOTHING IN THE JUDGMENT OF GOD. "Behold, he prayeth!" And what was there strange or new in this? Was he not of the straitest sect of the Pharisees? And were they not more distinguished by their prayers than by anything else? Yes. Yet Saul had never prayed till now. See the difference drawn by an unerring Judge in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. V. PRAYER IS A GOOD EVIDENCE OF CONVERSION. "Go, Ananias; he is ready to receive you. Go, and be not afraid of him — the man is changed — he is become a new creature — 'for, behold, he prayeth.'" "The spirit of grace" is always a spirit "of supplications." Be it remembered, however, that this mark is better applied exclusively than inclusively. A man may pray, and not be in a state of salvation; but he that does not pray, cannot be in a state of salvation. No man can be a partaker of Divine grace that lives without prayer. What then is the condition of many! (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the Lord said unto him, 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, |
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