Last week I spoke to you about the passage in Acts 3 where Peter and John are brought to Peter and John who was looking for alms.
This man brought to them asks for some coins, and is healed. In the last text I talked about the apostles turning that man’s eyes to God. Today I want to talk about what he was looking for when he went to them.
Daily view
“When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money”
Acts 3:3
That man’s intention was to receive help for that moment. Something that would allow him to feed that day. And then, probably, the next day he would be in that same place again looking for supplies for that new day and so on.
In our lives we also look for solutions that we believe would solve our problems, but in fact are just keeping us in the same place, in a vicious cycle.
If Peter and John had given the man alms, his life would have remained the same. He would continue to think that it was okay for him to live like that, that life had no more hope, that he really couldn’t go after a more dignified life and that being in that place would bring the provision he needed.
Limited vision
“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have…”
Acts 3:6
It is in this moment of God’s “No” that we act like spoiled children. We get sad and throw tantrums because God didn’t give us what we asked for when we asked. The fact is that sometimes we don’t realize that we ask for something small and momentary. This happens because we have the vision of the now, and we transfer that vision to God, limiting what He sees in our lives.
When we look at an ant’s path, we can see where it is, where it has gone, and the path ahead of it. But the ant can only see where it is, because it is small and consequently its vision of everything is too.
With that total view, you could easily say to the ant, “Little one, don’t go that way, that direction is better, there are more opportunities on the way“. Of course, that doesn’t even compare to the knowledge that the Father has about what happened, today and the future. But I want you to better understand how complete God’s vision is.
Future vision
“…But what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”.
Acts 3:6
God doesn’t want to give you a little help. He doesn’t want to solve your problem now quickly and simply, leaving you to get into a vicious cycle of solving today and getting back to square one every morning. He wants to give you a permanent solution.
Perhaps the cripple understood that momentary help as a permanent solution. A bit contradictory, no? But this happens often in our lives.
In this passage of the passage I read as if it were God himself speaking through those men: “Look, son. What you asked of me I don’t have for you… because for you I have much more!”.
Don’t focus on the “no” you hear from God. Understand that it is through this denial that He is preparing a beautiful “yes” tailored for you, something that will completely change your walk, not just your lunch hour today.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…“
2 Peter 1:3,4
