In this passage of scripture we learn a valuable lesson through a lame man. No, not a person who is unnecessarily dull, but a person who is unable to walk. The challenge that this must have imposed on his life is unimaginable for the times. He had to depend solely on other people to carry him to where he needed to go. No electric scooters or wheelchairs to shuttle him to where he needed to be, but total dependence on others.
This is a man who had to beg for everything that he needed, or at least what he thought he needed. In his short-sightedness, which for his situation and this point in time would have seemed like a reasonable request, he needed money to sustain his living. However, there was another option that Peter identified, solving the root cause of his dilemma.
I have a co-worker who trained me when I started the job. One of the first things he mentioned to me in training was, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” Peter could have met his immediate need by giving him money for the day. However, he knew there was a greater need and chose to address the root of the man's problem. In the case of this man who was healed, he could now go out and make a living to support himself. Although we do not know anything more about what happened to the man, I would hope that he went on to help others, or at the very least share his story and pray for others to be healed.
How many times have we asked God to bless us with what we want, but we actually have a greater need? Philippians 4:19 teaches us that God knows our needs and goes a step further by supplying our needs. Could it be that we are thinking too small when we ask for something from God?
I encourage you to try to identify the bigger picture when you have a need. Ask God, because we know He supplies our needs according to His riches and glory. Given that God created all things for our good, let us just say He will not run out of resources or people to bless us. Ask in faith. What does that mean? Ask for healing, not comfort. Ask for solutions, not patches. Ask for peace and joy, not happiness.
Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven, glory and honor to Your name. Lord, help me to feel confident in coming boldly before you with my requests, and having the faith to believe You will provide. Thank You for supplying all of my needs, and blessing me far beyond what I asked time after time. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Author: Travis White | 04-29-2025
