Weary Not!

Acts 3:1-10

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Shalom!

May this week be fruitful to you!

In the City of Jerusalem, there was a man who was lame from birth. He was taken to the temple every day to beg people for money, because he needed support in the situation he had found himself in. He couldn’t walk or do anything with his hands hence, he had to be carried to the temple. The temple had different gates, and among them there was the Beautiful Gate. In our times, I find this man’s situation similar to every Christian on Sunday or personal prayer days. We go to church on Sundays burdened with problems and prayer requests, hoping to find help. So many people go to prayer rooms from day to day, which is similar to how this man came to the Beautiful Gate every day begging. When this man saw Peter and John, he begged them for money. Now, Peter and John had been doing miracles in Jerusalem, but the lame man didn’t recognise them; he simply saw them as normal passers-by. Thinking of this, this man had come to the temple to beg for money as usual, but he didn’t know that Heaven had decided to visit him. At the temple, there were about 12 to 13 gates, and I can imagine Peter and John deciding what gate to pass through that day, and they decided the Beautiful Gate; this was not a coincidence, but the time had come for the lame man to be healed; he had spent many years begging and begging at the temple. Don’t grow tired of praying; keep persisting, keep praying until something happens. The bible says:

“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.” 

There’s an appointed time for everyone; God hears every prayer, every whisper, and at the appointed time he comes through. The Word says:”…..And the Lord remembered Hannah…… .and in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son….” In due time, God will remember you. 

Back to the Lame man, Peter and John looked at the man and said: Look at us” This sounded like a good start; the lame man probably thought they had money. I am finally getting something today. But Peter said: ”Silver and gold I do not have …….” I am pretty sure the moment the lame man heard this, he was so disappointed. But why did they ask him to look at them? It’s because he was looking everywhere else, and everybody was begging for money. Remember Elijah told Elisha: “……yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not. Remember, Peter stopped looking at Jesus, and he started drowning. This is what happens when we are distracted; we miss our blessings. Keep focusing on Jesus; keep looking at him; from him only our Salvation and help comes. 

Peter and John had indeed more than silver and gold; they told the man to rise and walk in Jesus‘ name; they took his hand, and instantly his feet and ankles became strong; he jumped to his feet and started walking and praising God. And people recognised him as the man who used to sit at the beautiful gate. 

Brethren, God is saying, Rise up and walk! The men who had brought the lame man to the beautiful gate expected to go back to bring him back home in the evening, but no! God had visited him; they probably met on the way while he was walking, jumping and praising God for what he had done for him. As you read this, weary not; at the appointed time, there shall be a divine visitation. 

God bless you!

Bible verse:

• Isaiah 62: 6-7

• 1 Samuel 1:19–20 

• 2 Kings 2:9-10