STAND AND WALK

As Peter and John walked toward the temple, they came upon a beggar who had been lame from birth. Peter and John had probably passed this man many times, but this time they stopped. The throngs in the marketplace heard Peter tell the beggar, “Look on us. . . . In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:4, 6).

Peter was calling on the Lord to act, with God’s own glory at stake. The people in the crowds must have said to each other, “What a foolish preacher. He’s asking a man who’s been crippled all his life to stand up and walk.” I believe those people were ready to laugh Peter and John to scorn.

LEAPING AND DANCING

Then the lame man felt a strange sensation start in his feet. First he wiggled his ankle. Then the feeling moved upward into his calves and his thighs. He raised himself to a crouch and slowly he pushed himself upright and stood. And then to the crowd’s amazement, the man began to leap and dance.

I ask you: What if God hadn’t acted? That was never a concern to Peter, who gladly committed his God to deliver. The Lord will never put to shame those who trust Him!

Today we also are called to place God’s honor, glory and reputation on the line.

GOD’S PLANS SURVIVE

Think about the biblical episodes we read of in Acts. In each one, everything that Christ came to earth and died for was at stake. Yet, all through the Old and New Testaments, God’s plan, purpose and people survived. And in every case, God called His children not only to trust Him but to believe Him to work miracles.

Tell me, would the Lord ask any less of our generation?