What does it mean that God works both ends to the middle in Acts 9?
It means God was working on both ends at once: while He dealt with Saul outside Damascus, He also spoke to Ananias inside the city. God prepared each man separately so their paths would converge in the middle, bringing Saul and Ananias together according to His purpose.
Les explains that after Saul's Damascus road experience, God always works both ends to the middle. While He was working on Old Saul outside the city, He was also working on Ananias inside the city. The account then shifts to God speaking to Ananias, a believing Jew somewhere in Damascus. In Acts 9:11, He tells Ananias to arise, go into the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for Saul, because Saul is praying and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in. Thus God was preparing both men so that Ananias's coming would align with what Saul had already seen in vision.
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.
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