Ananias, Paul's Testimony

Still giving thanks and praise to our Loving, Caring, Feeding, Father in heaven, through His ever present Holy Spirit, we will continue to be grateful and look forward to be even more sumptuously fed in the last of our three-day passes.

Holy Spirit, Counsellor, Spirit of Truth and powerful Enabler, feed us till we want no more. Satisfy us with strength, hope and pardoning grace that our lives will be pleasing testimonies to You – Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Paul is making his defence at Jerusalem. In this defence, he tells of the most awesome and miraculous events of his life, and of people whom Jesus used to help bring about this life transformation. Paul gives great and glorious testimony about Ananias and this is where our focus will lie. This is what Paul testifies about Ananias. 

Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And at that same hour I looked up at him. Acts 22: 12 – 13.

I’m quite aware that most of you know about Ananias and all that transpired between himself and Jesus, when He spoke to him concerning Paul. However, we are only concentrating on what Paul speaks publicly about this man. In other words, we are coming to this man, called Ananias, through the words of Paul, a man whose lips will not embellish nor diminish anything about Ananias. Consciously alert, we are putting aside all we know about Ananias of Damascus, to receive him as Paul presents him to those who are listening to his defence.

We come to Ananias under headings, which draw us in, so that we can personally have ourselves looked at, in Paul’s testimony about Ananias. It will be used as a plumb line to hold up against us. Yes! A plumb line.

The other day, I saw workmen building a wall for our neighbour and they had a line going across, so that each brick placed, was kept straight and in line with the rest of the structure. A simple thing as a tort string, if you like, was used to ensure an entire wall structure was kept in line. 

Of interest also is what we note from the Scriptures, regarding the plumb line and what God says about it. Here is Isaiah 28: 16 – 17 NIV. So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:  See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. The plumb line, in this self-evaluative time, will be for righteousness. Jesus is our Righteousness.

How are we lining up, fitting in and being one with His Righteousness? The plumb line shows us up and how out of line we are. Whether great or small be our alignment error, it can be rectified. This is an individual work, but an absolutely needed work, so that we all may be straightened up, and fall perfectly in place.

Keeping in the Scriptures, this is the word God gave to Zechariah. The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.  For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hands of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth. Zechariah 4: 9 – 10. The plumb line here is in the hands of God’s sent leader to His people, who have returned to Jerusalem. God’s people are no longer in Babylon, but have returned to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of its wall. Note that Zerubbabel, the man chosen by God to lay its foundation, carries a plumb line in his hand. The eyes of God are the plumb line. His eyes are Just and Righteous and the scan of His view is worldwide.

How do we line up in the eyes of God’s view? The plumb line, God’s eyes, shows exactly where we are and how we are. Whether we are way off mark or just a tiny bit out of alignment, it can all be put right. This is an individual work, but a necessary and altogether critical work, so that we all may be straightened up to be made perfectly in line in our place. 

Our final reference from the Scriptures, is Amos’ famous vision of the plumb line, in Amos 7: 7 – 9. This He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. And the LORD said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb line. Then the Lord said: Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore. The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam. Here, the plumb line is mentioned twice. We are told that the wall was originally built with a plumb line, meaning that it was built on a sure foundation.

However, something happened and God’s people shifted and became out of alignment, as it were. God has sent His servant back to the wall, with a plumb line in his hands. The plumb line is to expose the wretchedness of God’s people for He will not pass by their evils anymore. The plumb line is being used by God, and through the Holy Spirit, He will convict and convince God’s people about their ways of living.

Whatever the infraction, whether minute or massive, it can all be turned around. This is an individual work, but an absolutely vital work, so that we all may be straightened up to fall perfectly in place.