Doing Time on a Street Called Straight

“Background” – Lecrae (feat. C-Lite) – Lyrics on Screen (See Notes Below)*

Doing Time on a Street Called Straight

“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, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.” Acts 9:11-12 (KJV)

The Apostle Paul had a rough conversion. He was zealous in his wrongful intent to kill the members of the early Christian Church, now he had been confronted by the very Jesus in Whom those he murdered believed. Literally blinded by the light, Paul was taken to man named Judas’ house on a “street called Straight” where he was to receive further instruction and enlightenment concerning of the reality of the resurrected Jesus, and details of the mission to which he had been called by the Savior.

When we read the books of the the New Testament that were written by Paul, it is easy to forget the human aspect of what he experienced during his turning point of repentance. We see his life knowing much about what he suffered and overcame. He is a giant of the Christian faith, and we rightly admire his accomplishments for the defense of the gospel. But while he arrived at the house on Straight Street, he didn’t have a blue print before him as to what his life would be like from that point on. Let’s take a look at what Paul did know:

1. He knew that Jesus was and is alive, and is the very Son of God and Savior of the World.
2. He now knew beyond the shadow of any doubt that the witness given by the Apostles was true.
3. He knew that Jesus, though in Heaven could see him, monitor his activities and apprehend him here on earth.
4. He knew that everything he had believed about Jesus was wrong, and therefore his entire world view was wrong.
5. He knew that he had murdered many innocent men, women and children because they were determined to live for Jesus.
6. He had the memory of the face of the murdered Stephen, the first Christian martyr, in whose death he was complicit.
7. He had the memory of his own voice petitioning for authority to destroy the Church of the Living God.
8. He had the memory of the faces, postures of pain, screams and pleadings of the those he had put to death.
9. He knew that he was called to be an instrument for Christ.
10. He knew the very people who had authorized him to murder Christians would now with rabid vengeance seek to kill him also.
11.  He knew that he was blind.

So there was Paul, sitting in the dark, haunted by an exceedingly dark, bloody and hateful past of wrong doing. He was a man who considered himself a man of honor who now knew that he had betrayed the God and Master of the Universe. Although he thought he knew much, he was now in a position to know just how little he did know. He knew he was to serve God, but he didn’t know if he would have to do so as a blind man.

That was some predicament! It tells us much about how the Lord works even in our lives today. Do you find yourself apprehended by God, caught between a rock and a hard place because you are literally traveling down the wrong road? Do you find yourself struck blind by truth and waiting for instructions as to how to get deliverance from one or more messes in your life? Are you in a crisis of health, wealth or broken relationships because you recklessly pursued a live based drugs, sex, crime & lies? If so, you are not alone.

You are not alone in the sense that there are others in both like and different predicaments. You are also not alone in the sense that the Lord is monitoring you, and has a plan for your deliverance. The “sight” that you lost may have been a job, a spouse, children, possessions, time, integrity, credibility or even faith. One thing for sure, you don’t have to run and hide from God cause that’s impossible anyway. Another thing for sure is this: Like Paul, you are to wait on the Lord. Don’t take matters in your own hands. Wait. It is written:

Psalm 27:14
 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
 Psalm 27:13-14 (in Context) Psalm 27 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 33:20 
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
 Psalm 33:19-21 (in Context) Psalm 33 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 37:7 
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
 Psalm 37:6-8 (in Context) Psalm 37 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 27:14
 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Joel 2:26
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Joel 2:25-27 (in Context) Joel 2 (Whole Chapter)

While you are on Straight Street it is important to remember that the Lord has not abandoned you. He always has a plan for your life, a way for you to glorify Him. It is written:

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The Lord does not destroy things in our lives just for the sake of destruction. The Lord destroys things in order that we may be freed to worship Him in spirit and in truth. He destroys possessions, positions, relationships and even people, businesses and nations so that we can be free of satanic encumbrances. When we are apprehended and corrected by God, we need not be afraid even when the experience of being apprehended is most frightening. We need not fear because the Lord has promised to be with us always. It is written:

Psalm 16:8
I ..keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
 Psalm 16:7-9 (in Context) Psalm 16 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 40:11 
Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
 Psalm 40:10-12 (in Context) Psalm 40 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 73:23
 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 
Psalm 73:22-24 (in Context) Psalm 73 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 119:98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
 Psalm 119:97-99 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter)

No matter what our trials are, we are instructed to wait on the Lord, and we are promised that our Savior will walk with us. Jesus said: “..lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Knowing this, we can all say “Amen.”

Reflection: Knowing that I am to live righteously and worship the Living God and that I will be apprehended by a loving God when I travel down the wrong road, what then is my prayer? My prayer is this: Most merciful and loving Heavenly Father, I praise and bless your holy name. Hallelujah, Lord, thank you for loving me enough to apprehend me in all that I do. Praise your name Precious Lord, that You love me enough to correct me when I am wrong. Forgive me Lord, for thinking that I own my life. Forgive me for thinking that I am free to serve my own personal agenda. Wash me Father God with the precious blood of Jesus, that I may be clean, body, soul and spirit. Help me Lord to live my life according to your plans. May my desires be the same as Yours in all things, that I may life my life in endless praise. For your glory Lord, may I live. These things I ask in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.

© 2011 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.

______________________________

Video “Background” by Lacae from the Album “Rehab” available on Reach Records. Video was posted on Youtube by Conqueror837 on Oct 22, 2010.

  Verneda Lights and E-graphX Omnimedia have no ownership of this video or its content. It is included for instructional purposes only.