Dare To Joyfully Receive (what you didn't ask for)

One of the first things which happened after followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was the healing of a lame man at the gate of the Temple.  Peter and John were going to the Temple at the hour of prayer when a beggar asked for money.  Acts 3:4-5 reads, "And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." ⁵ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them."  I imagine some people walked by the beggar as if he did not exist, and others dropped a coin into his lap without a word.  But Peter and John stopped and spoke to the man, and he gave them his full attention because he expected to receive something from them.

The man had asked for money, but what Peter said next must have amazed him and all who stood by.  Acts 3:6-7 says, "Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."  This is a bit out of the square, isn't it?  The man sought a charitable donation, but Peter offered healing and strength by the power of Jesus Christ.  Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength from God, and the man stood to his feet.  Has it ever occurred to you that there are content beggars in the world?  They are quite comfortable shaking coins in a cup at passersby, and some who claim they make more begging than working!  The expectancy of this man was rewarded with healing, and the passage tells us he rejoiced to receive this gift he didn't ask for from God.  Acts 3:8 tells us, "So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God."

It is common in some households to know what a Christmas gift is because it was asked for!  I have seen people disappointed after opening a gift to discover it is not what they asked for or "what they really wanted."  We Christians rightly ask God for many things, but you might have noticed He doesn't always give us what we want.  The question is, will you receive what God has for you joyfully - even it is isn't what you asked for?  The lame man dreamed of receiving silver or gold from a generous soul, but a man who had neither silver or gold provided something through Jesus he perhaps stopped dreaming of:  healing and strength for his weak and lame feet.  How tragic it would have been for the man to stand to his feet healed, then sit back down and place his garment in his lap, sighing and disappointed silver or gold wasn't on offer.

The man who entered the temple walking, leaping, and praising God is a great illustration of how we should respond to all gifts from God - even when we didn't receive what we hoped for.  God allows us to experience injuries, pain, and limitations in our lives for the purpose of drawing us closer to Him.  A gift from God might be a loss He can transform into practical and eternal gain.  God is good and He is able to cause to work for good all things in the life of a Christian.  Even when you haven't received what we wanted or asked for, in looking to God expectantly we will receive good things beyond price.  Let us give God our full attention, expecting to receive all we need from Him.  Ephesians 3:20-21 provides a fitting conclusion:  "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."