Day 2: Grateful for the Common and the Amazing!
4Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Acts 3:4-6
In today’s Scripture we see another amazing miracle performed by God! This time it is through the hand of Peter, and in the name of Jesus Christ that God acts. The lame beggar—who had been crippled all his life—was lying on a mat a the entrance to the temple. All he really wanted from Peter and John was a few coins. In fact when Peter said, “Look at us!” We’re told, The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. We often expect to little in our lives. Whether it’s what we expect of ourselves, of others, or what we expect of God, we often settle for far less than the best. But Peter had experienced the best God had to offer in his life, so he would offer no less to the lame beggar. Look at what we read: But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Wow! That’s a step up from a few coins, isn’t it? Peter know that God’s best is always better than what we expect. Peter had experienced the grace of God first hand in his life, and was eager to share it with others in whatever way he could. Peter’s faith was great. He knew that God would heal the man—and God did. Imagine the gratitude the beggar felt! We’re told as we read on that he went walking and leaping and praising God! That was his way of showing gratitude AND amazement at the gift God had given him through Peter and John. From that day forward the man would know that God’s power is greater than our infirmities. Every morning when he woke up and STOOD for the first time, he must have shouted, “THANK YOU!” to God.
Once again, we must remind ourselves that God doesn’t always work like this in our dark moments, but Scripture is sprinkled with many examples that show us that He does! We serve the same God, so we can “pray BIG” as Andy Stanley puts it, knowing that God is for us, and will provide blessing to us as we trust in Him.
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
If you had been the lame beggar, what do you think you would have thought/felt when Peter told you he had no silver or gold? What about when he brought healing?
Take some time right now to thank God for the common and the amazing blessings in your life.