I recently read Acts chapter 3 during my devotions and saw the lame man differently. If you are familiar with this story, the man was lame from birth. Later, we read that he was over 40 years old (Acts 4:22). Can you imagine being 40 years old and never standing or walking on your own? That is a level of depending on others that most of us can’t begin to imagine.
Many sermons have been preached on Peter’s response when the man asked for alms, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). We get focused on the miracle of the man being healed, we emphasize that all Peter had to give was Jesus, and we are reminded of the power found in the name of Jesus. All of those are wonderful and biblical. But I want to look at the lame man today.
He represents all of us before we were saved. He needed healing, poor, and unable to help himself. Isn’t that how we were when we were lost? Not only in this life, but that would’ve been our condition for eternity. Absolutely hopeless.
I find it interesting that he is at the Beautiful Gate. No one viewed this man as outwardly beautiful. He was a poor man. Unable to work, he begged and took anything he could get.
He asked alms of Peter, and he received more than he could have ever imagined. His faith in the healing power of Jesus brought the healing he needed. Verse 7 tells us his feet and ankle bones immediately received strength. Do you realize the miracle here? The muscles would have been so weak from never being used. This would’ve typically been months of physical therapy, but God can do whatever He wants, and He completely strengthened this man’s body in just a second!
Verse 8 shows us his response. “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” Notice that the first thing he did was go into the temple. How often does God answer a prayer for us, and we never step foot into the church? The church is a place of praise, prayer, and worship. This man went there first. He was outside of the temple before God healed him. He could have easily left, walked into town, or gone home. He surely needed a job. But all of that waited until after he spent time in the temple.
Secondly, he praised God. This was more than a quick “thanks.” You can’t leap with joy and have shallow verbal praise. This man was overjoyed because of the miracle he received that day and wasn’t afraid to show it. Friend, do not keep it to yourself when God does something for you! Do not fail to praise Him publicly! He is worthy of all praise and worship. Others need to know or be reminded that God is still on the throne and working! This praise was to God and God alone. He did not praise Peter and John. We must remember that people are only vessels. These men did not have the power to heal; God’s power worked through them.
Like the lame man, you need the Lord. I don’t know what you are praying and waiting for, but don’t stop. This man waited for 40 years, not knowing if God would ever heal him. How many of us need to learn to be okay with waiting until Heaven to get our answers? Answered prayers do not determine the goodness or faithfulness of God. His love is not measured by what He does for us. He is good, He is faithful, and He is love because He is God. Rest in Who He is today, not just what He can do.
Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let Him lead you in paths of righteousness.
With Hope in His Service,
Heather
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