But will the LORD leave his poor servant in this distress? no; his JESUS (though _Saul_ persecuted him) promised (and he will perform) that “it should be told him what he must do. And there was a certain disciple at _Damascus_, named _Ananias_; and unto him, said the LORD, in a vision, _Ananias_; and he said, Behold, I am here, LORD.” What a holy familiarity is there between JESUS CHRIST and regenerate souls! _Ananias_ had been used to such love-visits, and therefore knew the voice of his beloved. The LORD says, “_Ananias_;” _Ananias_ says, “Behold, I am here, LORD.” Thus it is that CHRIST now, as well as formerly, often talks with his children at sundry times and after divers manners, as a man talketh with his friend. But what has the LORD to say to _Ananias_?
Verse 11. “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_;” (See here for your comfort, O children of the most high GOD, what notice JESUS CHRIST takes of the street and the house where his own dear servants lodge) “for behold, he prayeth;” but why is this ushered in with the word _behold_? what, was it such a wonder, to hear that _Saul_ was praying? why, _Saul_ was a Pharisee, and therefore, no doubt, fasted and made long prayers: and, since we are told that he profited above many of his equals, I doubt not but he was taken notice of for his gift in prayer; and yet it seems, that before these three days, _Saul_ never prayed in his life; and why? because, before these three days, he never felt himself a condemned creature: he was alive in his own opinion, because without a knowledge of the spiritual meaning of the law; he felt not a want of, and therefore, before now, cried not after a JESUS; and consequently, though he might have said or made a prayer (as many Pharisees do now-a-days) he never prayed a prayer; but now, “behold! he prayed indeed;” and this was urged as one reason why he was converted. None of GOD’s children, as one observes, comes into the world still-born; prayer is the very breath of the new creature: and therefore, if we are prayerless, we are christless; if we never had the spirit of supplication, it is a sad sign that we never had the spirit of grace in our souls: and you may be assured you never did pray, unless you have felt yourselves sinners, and seen the want of JESUS to be your Saviour. May the LORD, whom I serve in the gospel of his dear Son, prick you all to the heart, and may it be said of you all, as it was of _Saul_, behold, they pray!
The LORD goes on to encourage _Ananias_ to go to _Saul_: says he, verse 12. “For he hath seen in a vision a man named _Ananias_, coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.” So that though CHRIST converted _Saul_ immediately by himself, yet he will carry on the work, thus begun, by a minister. Happy they, who under soul-troubles have such experienced guides, and as well acquainted with JESUS CHRIST as _Ananias_ was: you that have such, make much of and be thankful for them; and you who have them not, trust in GOD; he will carry on his own work without them.