Hosanna Restoration Church

As I pondered this bit of scripture I discovered, as is always the case with God’s word, that there are many areas upon which we could focus, and many lessons that we can learn. Actually there is an important part that comes before the scripture above, that is the fact that the man was in place to receive and he was asking. Then we see Peter speak and act, and we see the man react. All of these are important factors in receiving from God. Please understand, that I am not attempting to lay out a formula by which God operates, rather I am looking at one of many ways in which we see God move in scripture, and it is my desire to know all I can about the move of God in and around my life and the world.

So then, the first thing I see is that Peter got the mans attention. He told him to look at them. He prepared him for the fact that something was about to happen. It is important to prepare people. To encourage them that when God is present, things happen. So often we may sit in church or personal prayer time and not really expect anything to happen.

Next, the man wisely gave them his attention. Had he simply ignored them, perhaps Peter and John would have just gone on by. How often does the Holy Spirit attempt to get our attention, and we are too busy to stop and focus. What do we miss when this happens. If God speaks in a service through someone and says that He is present to heal or meet a need of another type, we should pay attention!!

Peter then spoke according to what Jesus had taught them. Jesus had said that anything they asked in His name, He would do. So Peter told the man to get up and walk in the name of Jesus. Peter then acted. He grabbed the man and pulled him up. I am not saying that we should grab every crippled person by the arm and drag them around, but we do need to be prepared to obey the Holy Spirit if He wants some action to go along with our prayers!

Now, the Word of God tells us that strength immediately came into the mans feet and ankles. Only God can say what is the most important part of anything that He does, but as I look at this, I see that the mans reaction is what determined the ultimate outcome of this whole miracle. The man received what God gave him. He leaped up, He walked, and He praised the Lord.

Our response to the things of God is always a determining factor. Our reaction to the good news of salvation determines whether or not we are saved. Our reaction to any truth of the Word of God, determines how it works in our lives. It is important to prepare people to receive. It is important to speak the Word of God and act on the word of God, but in the end, it is our reaction to all these factors that determines whether we experience the full benefit or not. This man could have sat back down and later told people that he felt something happen when that man grabbed his hand, but doubted that it was really God. His rejection could well have left him crippled, but instead of rejecting, he reacted, and he received.