Hosanna Restoration Church

As we continue our look at responses based on God’s word to Cain that acceptance would come with a correct response, we are going see how a series of responses resulted in a miracle for a man with crippled feet. This will be brief running commentary that began with a running response!

There was a song several years ago that said, “You’ve got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, and know when to run.” In today’s scripture, the miracle begins with the apostles running for their lives. We could spend a lot of time discussing why they ran when we can do all things through Christ and etc., but I believe they ran simply because God said, “get out of there,” and they did what God said.

The fact that they ran did not hinder them from spreading the good news at the next place they stopped. In the midst of their preaching and teaching, there was another important person who responded to the leading of God. The man with the crippled feet managed to find his way to the place where the Good News was being preached. Now we could say that it came to him rather than him going to it. But if that were the case, he still had to be in the right place and the apostles had to show up there as well. For now, lets imagine that the man heard about what was being preach and overcame years of hopelessness and did what ever it took to get himself to that place. This in itself would be no small feat. You can well imagine how many people would have told him he was crazy to even think he could be healed and etc. Never the less, he ended up at the spot where Paul was preaching.

Now picture the man sitting there hoping and Paul preaching away, when God points the man out to Paul telling him that the man is ready to be healed. If Paul ignores God, a miracle is missed. If Paul says something, he risks looking foolish if nothing happens. Once again we do not know all that goes on between Paul and God, but we do know that Paul responds and calls out loudly telling the man to “stand up.” Remember, the man has crippled feet. Paul does not ask someone to bring the man up or give him time to prepare for anything. He simply tells him to get up. Now it is time for the man to respond. God has done everything necessary for his healing, all he needs to do is respond.

Oh the joy in heaven when this man jumped up. Oh the glory brought to God as this miracle took place. Isn’t it amazing that a series of events that began with a running response would lead to such a great miracle? Now what would it be like if we were quick to run from the things that seek to destroy us? What if we were to focus on the Good News of the Kingdom of God and be quick to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit? What if we would do what ever it takes to get to the right spot and then stand in faith on every promise of God? I believe the whole world would begin to see that truly the whole earth is filled with His glory. What is your response?