I am amazed once again this week as I study yet another account of God's providential hand on the life of a single beggar.
This week our text lays out a perfect illustration of the mercy, purpose and most importantly, the supremacy of God over all things. Even a debilitating disease such as lameness.
What fascinates me about this passage is that if we would be honest with ourselves we should be willing to admit that we are truly no different than this beggar sitting at the gate beautiful.
So many times in life’s journey we find ourselves desperate for God. There are points where I have discovered an endless sense of frustration and hopelessness unless Christ be not for me.
The thought of never being able to contribute to God's Kingdom due to past mistakes is a killer. Then we know there are many a people struggling with guilt and shame.
Perhaps you find yourself in a situation that is to secretive to announce, lest everything around you fall apart? Or maybe the marriage that has consumed your entire life has only become worse as the years press on and you feel stuck without hope?
Just maybe you are one with a disease and you're having to hold on to family and friends and to whatever shimmer of hope someone has given you?
Think with me a moment..
Was this beggars inability to help feed himself, or work and contribute to society out of God's sovereign control? Did this beggar somehow find himself off heavens radar for 40 years to just now be noticed?
God had a plan for him though it never ever seemed to have come to pass, until suddenly on a normal day of begging, God showed up.
We see several elements of the healing here that we can apply to our spiritual, emotional and physical infirmities and afflictions.
First, he had to be broken and humble. Next, he needed to be a willing participant to God's moving.(some of us find ourselves bitter or angry and resentful and unfortunately we will remain as we are with no hope in sight)
Then this beggar needed to look with expectancy, and finally, he needed to appropriate a measure of faith given to him from God to obey the Apostles orders to take hold of, and to rise.
(Never exercising muscles you have not used for years or even know about takes a tremendous amount of determination and trust in God.)
The result- he leaped up for joy and shouted praises to God! He became free and liberated.
If you are in a position of being pressed down hard upon the floor of your circumstance, show some contrition before God. Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Just as He did for this beggar...so He shall do for you.
Do you believe this?
