Not What He Asked For

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 3:1-10


TO CHEW ON: "When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money." Acts 3:3

The man who sat at the temple entrance to beg had always been crippled. As a boy he had never climbed trees, played tag or walked to a friend’s home to play. By now he was used to not being able to walk. He didn’t ask for much any more -- just a few coins to buy food and pay rent.

His life was hard and disappointing. He had few nice surprises. I’m sure he didn’t expect much to change. Probably after he asked Peter for money and heard his answer: “Silver and gold I do not have...” he was already feeling disappointed.

"St. Peter and St. John cure the lame man" - Nicolas Poussin 1655

But in the instant that Peter took the man’s hand and lifted him to his feet, God’s power came into his body. His feet and ankles became strong. He could walk for the first time -- and leap and skip and jump! God gave him, not what he asked for but something far, far better.


Maybe you’ve been waiting for something in your life to change but so far it hasn’t. Don’t give up. Keep asking. For just around the corner may be the answer to your prayer and far more!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to wait for You to give the best things, those things I haven’t even dared to hope for. Amen.



MORE: Ask For It!
1. On a piece of paper write one thing in your life you wish would change.

2. Tuck your wish into your Bible, your journal or some place where you will see it and remember to pray about it

3. Talk to God about it regularly.

4. Now watch for God’s answer to your prayer. When it comes, write the answer and the date on the paper with the request.

5. Display it in a place where it will remind you how much God loves and cares for you.

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 Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.