Scripture
Vs 4 And Peter directed (the lame beggar’s) gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”
Vs 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
VS 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!”
Vs 8 And leaping up, he … entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
Vs 10 And all the people … were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Vs 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people (were) utterly astounded …
Vs 12 And when Peter saw it, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
Vs 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Observation
Expectations & Response
In this chapter I see a series of expectations and various responses when reality is different from those expectations.
From most walkers by, the lame beggar likely expected nothing.
Peter told him to “look at us”.
The lame beggar now “expected to receive something” from Peter and John.
Instead of “silver or gold”, Peter told him to “rise up and walk”.
The lame beggar’s response was more than “rise and walk”.
His response was “walking and leaping and praising God”.
“All the people” also had an expectation … to see the usual lame beggar on a mat.
Their response to a different reality was “wonder and amazement” and “utter astoundment”.
Peter then called for a different response … “Repent!”
And a response of “Repent” leads to “Refresh” leads to “Receive” leads to “Restore”!
Application
What are my expectations? … And what is my response when reality does not meet it?
Do I expect God to remain active in the world?
Do I expect others to play a role in God’s great unfolding?
Do I expect myself to participate in this?
And how do I respond?
Everyone has “expectations” in life … for what God can do? … Or will do?
… Are mine too low?
Do I expect God to show up?
Are my expectations consistent with what God wants done?
The lame beggar wanted “silver or gold”?
God granted him “rise and walk”!
The lame beggar expected enough to sit right where he was.
Could he even conceptualize “rise and walk”?
What about me?
What is my “gold and silver” that I think will be enough to sit right where I am?
What is my “rise and walk” that I can’t even imagine God’s willingness to grant?
And what would be my response if God were to grant it?
Would I respond with “wonder and amazement” at a new reality?
Or would I respond with “leaping and praising” of the God who created the new reality?
I am one who tends to keep my expectations pretty low.
(May sound strange from a largely optimistic person.)
We live in a very broken world, with very selfish people.
Why would they, or even me, live to a different expectation?
A big question, then, right now for me is …
Where is the line between “Your grace is sufficient?” and “God act!!!”
Well … what would be my response if He did act?
Would it be a dumbfounded astonishment? … Or a leaping with praise?
Perhaps, if I repent, I can find out.
Prayer
God, help me to praise in everything
Help me to have the highest expectations of You
Even in the midst of a sinful world
Help me play whatever role you would have me in it
Grant me to repent when and where I need it
And Praise you always
In Jesus name
Amen