A Vivid Object Lesson

In today’s Bible reading in Acts 3, we see Peter and John heal a lame beggar. For his entire life, he has sat in a public area in the Temple, begging for help.

Everybody knew this man; maybe not by name, but they recognized him like we often recognize the person at an intersection with a “Will work for food” sign. Perhaps people passed him every day like we pass the intersection beggar today. Now, I don’t know your local intersection beggar, but everybody knew that this man legitimately needed help; he had been lame from birth. (Acts 3:2)

Peter and John told him that they couldn’t help him financially, but they could help him in a much deeper way. They told him to stand up and helped him to his feet. Immediately, his ankles and legs became strong and he was able to stand, walk, run, and jump! (Acts 3:8) And perhaps for the first time in his life, he was able to go inside the Temple and worship God!

Everyone is awestruck at what happens and Peter calls everyone to repent.

Application

How often are you awestruck by seeing God do something amazing? Perhaps a different question should be asked first: How often do you see God do something amazing?

God is always at work around us. John Piper has noted that God is always doing 10,000 things in your life and you may be aware of three of them. It’s true! Unfortunately, we can’t see the big picture of what God’s doing, because we’re obsessed with a couple of lesser things. We miss the forest for the trees.

Spend a few minutes asking God to show you a few more things that He’s doing in your life. Things that you have been blind to. And as He shows you, feel the awe. And do like the lame beggar! Celebrate the God Who does such wonderful things. Then tell other people what God’s doing in your life! And as the old hymn says.

Count your many blessings,

Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings,

See what God has done.