The man had a physical challenge—he was crippled and couldn’t walk. The only way he knew to get support was to beg at the temple gate in Jerusalem. One morning the lame man awakened to what seemed like any other day. But on this day his life was to be forever changed. When the apostles Peter and John came to the temple that morning, he asked them for money. What they gave him could never be bought. “I have no silver and gold,” Peter told him, “but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The Bible says, “And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”

 

Peter gave him what money could not buy—wholeness and healing.

The lesson is two-fold. Yes, God sometimes does heal physical problems supernaturally, as He did for the crippled beggar. God has another kind of healing for us, however, and that is spiritual healing. He wants to break us out of the bondage that cripples us.

 

The beggar asked for money, figuring that would at least solve his problem of hunger. But money is not the answer to our deepest needs.

 

Money can buy

 

A bed but not sleep.
A house but not a home.
Medicine but not health
A cross around your neck but not eternal life.

 

No, money cannot solve all the challenges we have, but when we’re crippled by life, God’s great grace can result in our becoming strong, with joy in our hearts that makes us want to walk, jump, and praise God, as the crippled man did.

 

Today in simplicity bring your deepest need to God. Let Him touch the area of your life that no one else can heal. As Psalms 10:17 says, “O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear.” It’s a promise!