Acts 3:1-10 - Putting our confidence in Christ
Scripture:
Acts 3:1-10
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.
2 And a man who had been lame from his mother's womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.
3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.
4 But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, "Look at us!"
5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene -- walk!"
7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.
8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God;
10 and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
NASU
Thoughts:
Jesus, through Peter, heals a lame man.
I marvel at Peter's point of view, and faith! (verses 6-7). It's so easy to look at ourselves, see our inadequacies, and feel like there's nothing we can do. But the key is not thinking in terms of what we can do, but what Jesus can do!
And therefore, like Peter, when we've received God's direction, we can have boldness to move. It's His power that will work, not ours. In fact, our inadequacies are good because they clearly give Him the praise for what is done. For instance, note the reaction of the Jewish authorities after arresting Peter and John for this miracle:
Acts 4:13
13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
NASU
Prayer:
God, help me to think this way! Help me to put my confidence in You. Not focusing on my weakness, or even on the task at hand, but on You. You will accomplish whatever You ask me to do.
Let me have this focus in my daily life. Each day and each moment are opportunities to walk with You, doing Your will. Let Your will be done in my life, this day, and I will give You all the praise.
Amen
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