Scripture Passage: Acts 3:1-10
This passage begins with two of the disciples going to the temple at the hour of prayer. We read that at about the same time, a lame man is laid at the gate to ask alms, or money, from those who were to enter the temple. The Bible tells us that this was a daily routine for the crippled man. He realized that these religious people would be praised for their good deeds, and he would receive the money that he needed to get through that day. On this particular day, Peter and John passed by and the crippled man asked them for some money. Peter responded with, “Look on us.” And the lame man did, expecting to receive that which was routine. But, what he ended up receiving that day was far better than he had asked or even thought of requesting. In the name of Jesus Christ, these disciples were used as vessels in the healing of this man.
Many times we are like this lame man. We have a problem but fail to properly seek the solution. He went to the temple daily, a place that represented God, but fell short of ever entering to meet with the Lord. He stopped at the gate (v.2). He asked those that were “religious” for alms, but even so that only provided him with a temporary fix. How often do we come so close to meeting with the Lord and seeking his help with our problems, but fall short in temporary satisfaction when presented with a temporary solution? This leads to a repetitious problem. How often do we look to the wrong source for help when God is so near?
Many times we DO go to the Lord when we have a problem, but- like this man- we lack the faith to ask for the right things. We just seek a temporary solution, showing that we have forgotten the power of the almighty God that we serve. We have not, because we ask not. Our faith is so small that we never truly live out all that the Savior may have for us. God desires to hear from His children. He wants to know our hearts and to solve our problems. We often make life so much more difficult on ourselves because we are too independent or too narrow-minded to seek what He has for us. Are we simply asking for alms to make it through the day? Or are we truly whole-heartedly seeking the Lord to work miracles in our situations? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our asking or are we allowing them to be restrained by our own understanding of human reasoning?
In verse 6, we see the Lord’s mercy, grace, and intervention. In this situation, the man did ask a specific thing- alms. But, Peter realized that this was not the solution and instead (with the power of God) gave Him what he truly needed. Oftentimes we ask God for the wrong things. But in His goodness and mercy He provides us with the best solution. Verse 7 of this passage says, “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” When God shows up, He sees us through. He takes us by the hand and lifts us up out of our troubles and gives us the strength to carry on. This passage ends with the crippled man praising God. A key element that we mustn't neglect on the other side of the miracles that God performs for us.
So, how should this impact our lives? Well, is there an on-going problem in your life that you need the Lord’s intervention to solve? What do you ask of Him- simply enough to scrape by or a faith-filled request for His life-changing touch? He cares and has the power to provide the permanent fix. On the other hand, has the Lord recently provided more than you requested? Be sure to take the time to thank Him for that blessing. To God be the glory!