Acts 9:10-14 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 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, 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.

In Saul’s present condition of turmoil, he reverts back to what he knows best. Saul prays. The Lord’s first answer is in the familiar. He gave a man who believes in visions, a vision. The Lord gave Saul what he would receive because Saul believed in visions. In that vision He showed Saul two things that were not part of his belief system.

The first was that the Lord would use an ordinary man of no reputation to perform a miracle. Saul knew nothing of the anointing of the Holy Spirit among the common people. His experience said only those who dedicated their lives from an early age could be found worthy by proven performance. Why would the Lord anoint a commoner? This Saul would have to discover for himself.

Secondly, this man Ananias would have been one of the people Saul sought to kill. How is it that the Lord should choose a potential victim to be his healer? Paul was about to receive mercy without reason, forgiveness without cause, and see faith that ruled over fear.