Daily Devotions – Stand up and Walk

Daily Devotions – Stand up and Walk

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Acts 3:1-10 (ESV)
The Lame Beggar Healed
3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

 

How is Jesus healing some crippled area of your life?

 

Precious Jesus, there are so many changes and transitions in my life, and sometimes fear that I am not making the wisest choices for the future can be staggering. The changes in the world due to the pandemic and the violence roaring through society make me fearful of what the future holds. Fear can be crippling. The fear of the unknown is greater than the fear of what is known. What if the beggar in today’s verses was too fearful to stand up as Peter took him by the hand. He could have resisted being fearful of falling. But by taking action, and moving forward in trust, he was healed. I believe that is the same with fear for the future. Instead of being frozen by fear, fretting over how things are, I need to trust in You, take Your hand and get up and walk. Complaining about what I cannot change is an unending whirlpool that will suck me down into the deep water of despair.  Lord, I need Your healing power to wash over me and free me from my fear.  Heal my fear with trust in You and Your promises to protect me and love me forever.  While I take the steps to move forward, keep my focus on You, Jesus, and help me concentrate on Your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Fill me with gratitude for all that You have given me today. Instead of grumbling, let the words coming out of my mouth be filled with praise. Make it my choice to be joyful on purpose because finances, sicknesses, relationships, society cannot separate me from Your love and eternal salvation. I have not been, I am not now and will never be alone. Fear is a lie from Satan. I cannot control most things in the future, but I trust that You are in control and will guide me if I keep walking through the fear. Whatever the future holds, I am in Your caring arms and I trust You. That is all I need to keep moving into the future. Amen