Beggars and Receivers

"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."

Acts 3:4-5

As John and Peter walked by the gate leading to the temple, a man lame from birth asked them for alms or charity.  Instead of walking past the man without a word, Peter bid the man to look at them.  Those who beg often make themselves look as pitiable as possible, wearing pained expressions or are clothed in rags.  Beggars I have seen in Israel near the Temple Mount do not always speak or make eye contact with passers by but shake a cup which contains a few shekels.  I have also seen a savvy beggar retreat away from the crowds to empty his mostly filled cup into a hidden purse to reappear with a couple of jangling coins to attract additional donations - but that is another story.

What I find compelling about these verses is how the man gave John and Peter his full attention.  His motive is plainly stated:  he was "expecting to receive something from them."  He did not know what would be given, but he looked to them expecting to receive.  What is implied is whatever they were going to give him - food, clothing, money, whatever - he was gladly going to receive and utilise it.  I have heard it said "Beggars can't be choosers" but I have seen this turned on its head many times.  I have run into some very choosy and demanding beggars who are intent on getting exactly what they want rather than receiving what is offered.  It seems to me the desperation of those in need impacts whether they are hopefully expectant in receiving or entitled to demand.

This man is a good illustration of the condition of all people before God:  lame outcasts, needy beggars, at the mercy of God, and without strength or power to sustain our lives.  It is good when we are willing to listen to God and those who speak forth His Word and walk in the Holy Spirit.  I have been reading the book of Jeremiah for morning devotions and there were very few who listened to him, though he spoke the truth which was confirmed.  It made me think about the many times I listened to a sermon or study and I did not share the expectancy to receive of this man.  I was already full of knowledge; I had no spiritual hunger or thirst, no apparent need.  I was critical of the way things were explained so I dismissed the truth.  I have given people my attention with no expectation of receiving anything because I was not open.  And yet God many times quickened me despite my dullness to receive and utilise wisdom of great value from unexpected sources.  There are millionaires who drive old cars and wear faded denim, and no one would suspect they own great wealth.  In a similar way I have also observed people who were not learned or polished speakers share the rich truths of the kingdom of God which are beyond price.

The beggar could have paid John and Peter no mind, by trade being fishermen from Galilee.  They were not dressed like the pope or bishops with rich robes or princely headgear but looked like ordinary men with calloused hands, worn clothes, and dirty feet.  Yet the beggar expected to receive something from them because they stopped and personally addressed him, and it was not long before he received physical healing in the name of Jesus Christ with joy and gladness.  The lame man expected to receive something, and what he received was not what he could have expected.  So it is with us before God:  let us humbly come to Him and read His Word, expecting to receive something - not on the lookout to confirm our bias or meet our demands - because we know God knows our needs and will supply all according to the riches of His grace.  Are you willing to receive what God supplies when it isn't what you asked for, even from an unexpected source?

The Oil Spill

It is the most simple, basic aspects of Christianity - like actually trusting God in all circumstances - which provide a constant challenge and confront followers of Jesus on the deepest levels.  We born-again Christians remain in corruptible bodies of flesh in a world of sin with Satan firing flaming arrows at us.  Trials and tribulations, pains and troubles constantly work to rob us of peace only faith in Jesus brings.  The cumulative weight of the cares we carry can unknowingly overwhelm and threaten to overcome those who are overcomers through Jesus.  It is only by the grace of God we can be strong in the power of His might and having done all to stand.  He provides perspective which lifts our eyes above our enemy the devil, the inner turmoil, and circumstances to fix our focus on Jesus Christ.

Last week after my eldest son returned home from school he said, "Dad, you have to take a look at my car."  This did not sound good, and though I figured I was ready for anything I was a bit shocked by what I saw:  a massive pool of oil ran from underneath the engine block of his car into the road.  To say the car was "leaking" was an understatement.  The car was haemorrhaging litres of oil from a place I could not pinpoint, and after mopping up what we could even jacking up the car shed no light on the exact source.  "I noticed a little oil at the station but didn't think anything of it," Zed told me.  I was grateful he only needed to drive a short distance or without a doubt the engine would have seized from lack of oil as the dipstick was dry.  During the week my son contacted roadside assist to have it towed to a local mechanic where the car remains.

Because the car is in the shop I have made some extra trips to the nearby train station when Zed needs a ride.  Much to our amazement, there was not only one trail of oil but two - one trail leaving our house and one returning!  I felt a bit like I had witnessed a miracle involving oil like Elisha and the widow in 2 Kings 4.  After her husband died she was left with debts and no money to pay.  The creditors were coming to take away her sons to be slaves unless she somehow paid the debt.  All she had in the home was a small vessel of oil.  Elisha told her to gather all the vessels she could, then shut the door, and pour from her vessel into the other vessels to sell.  Miraculously the oil from her small vessel was multiplied to fill all the vessels they had gathered.  The oil was sold and the debt was paid.

It is a strange thing to glorify God over a dirty trail of motor oil, but even in the breakdown of the vehicle God's grace is evident:  the engine did not seize, the leak is repairable, and Zed has the money to fix the car.  The situation reminds me how things can always be worse, and with God's help even trails and obstacles can be redeemed for good and His glory.  Even if the car had been a write-off, God's goodness, grace, and provision would have been revealed to those who trust and look to Him.  A person could look at those oil trails and curse the dealer which sold them a lemon, or with eyes of faith we see God's protection and help.  When an engine fails and the oil spills, God knows about it.  When you are afraid or alone and the tears flow, God sees those too.  He realises the depth of your grief and worry.  Do not fear, beloved of the LORD, for He sees, heals, and restores lives.  If He cares about a leaky old car (and its young owner), He most certainly cares much more about you.

The Good Old Way Makes New

The ceiling in our garage has slowly degraded over the years, largely a result of failed adhesive and lack of nails to hold it.  Thankfully shoring up the sides with blocks of wood has kept the sagging Gyprock from falling down on top of our car and property.  It isn't only my garage where I have seen this same method of hanging plasterboard fail, but in other homes.  Had I been the one who installed the ceiling using that adhesive and nailing technique, without a doubt I would have changed my approach going forward.  Obviously the adhesive was not suitable for Australian conditions, and to continue to use the failed technique would court future disaster.

The thought occurred to me how this circumspect approach to building could be wrongly applied to Christian ministry.  As builders use quality products for a predictably durable finish, so Christian ministers seek to teach sound biblical doctrine and make disciples of Jesus Christ.  The challenge comes when scriptural approaches seem to be ineffective at producing desired results or fail.  One might think, "This isn't working.  What seems to be working for other people?  What is a new method or program I can employ which will guarantee quick and good results?"  But building the church isn't at all like building a house.  People are not at all like structures nailed and secured into place without a will of their own.  And let us not forget the enemy Satan is a liar, thief, and destroyer, a saboteur who tirelessly works to undermine the truth of God's truth.

Perhaps it is better to look at Christian ministry as physical therapy for those who bodies are broken, in a spiritual sense doctors and dietitians for those who struggle with addictions, gluttony, and physical conditions.  Whilst on earth we dwell in these bodies of flesh, and some of us deal with arthritis, diabetes, and depression which can have a genetic origin.  Others continue to be confronted with decisions of their past like complications of alcoholism or troublesome relationships.  We come to Christ broken, and though He heals us spiritually we continue to live in a broken world with failing bodies.  It is not that Jesus is powerless to save, but sometimes we do not trust or obey Him.  The problem is not that the Bible is flawed:  we are.  The spiritual reality of the new birth transcends our old life and ageing bodies, but we are still living down here on earth in them when an enemy who seeks to destroy us.

Satan would love for us to be discouraged and give up in the face of our struggles.  He wants us to turn from God and His Word in bitter disappointment because only the almighty God is the source of true hope and salvation.  Only God can deliver us from the power of Satan and redeem us for God's glory, and Satan has seen this too many times for his liking.  But there are many more fish in the sea, many more wavering Christians who, in light of their own failings, could be duped into thinking the problem is in God.  Chicken Little thought the sky was falling because a small apple dropped onto her head, and we can run around in a panic trying to fix the world, people, or ourselves when God has said, "Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.  Be strong and courageous:  have I not commanded you?  I will never leave you or forsake you."  Will we trust Him when we are afraid, fearful, weak and alone?  Will we go to His Word for nourishment rather than the equivalent of an alcoholic drinking away his sorrows, a glutton finding solace in food, or a diabetic gorging on sugar?  God and His Word and even the devil often isn't the issue, but it's us.

What refreshment, salvation, and hope is in our God and in the truth of His Word!  Don't let your feelings, physical conditions, past failures, or the devil tell you any different.  Let us praise the name of the LORD on high who heals us, sees us, and provides abundant, eternal life through Jesus Christ.  The God who created the earth says, "I make all things new."  New techniques or approaches are not needed by the God who provides the good old path to salvation through faith in God.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

The Blessing of Blessing

I was reminded this morning of God's word to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20:17:  "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."  When we are in physical danger, realise we are powerless, and don't know what to do, our natural tendency is not to stand still.  Fear causes our minds to go in hundreds of directions, worries and cares plague us, and we forget the almighty God is with us.  In his distress King Jehoshaphat prayed to the LORD, and God responded with clarity and calm.  This most tumultuous time during the reign was to provide a great blessing.

King Jehoshaphat and the people rejoiced at the promise from God, though powerful enemies camped outside the city.  Their position was one of praise and thanksgiving, as 2 Chronicles 20:18-19 relates:  "And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. ¹⁹ Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high."  I wonder if the enemies of Israel could hear the voices and songs of praise rising from inside the walls of Jerusalem, from people who were outgunned and helpless?  They were not without hope because they trusted in God.

The next day God fought for His people according to His promise as wrought a miraculous victory.  The text says the people of Judah spent three whole days gathering the spoil from the slain because it was so abundant.  The point emphasised to me during my Bible reading this morning is found in 2 Chronicles 20:26:  "And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day."  The people went to the place where God fought for and saved His people, the valley where their enemies were slain, and where they spoiled those who came against them.  We might imagine the people called the place the Valley of Berachah because of the blessings God provided them, but that is not why:  the text states they called it the Valley of Berachah (blessing) because that is where they blessed the LORD.

Have you considered what a wondrous blessing it is to bless the LORD?  These were people who were only a day from death, yet God was with them and saved them with a mighty hand.  They were divinely enabled to stand where their enemies gathered against them and bless the LORD because He lives and spared their lives.  The destruction of enemies, wealth gained by spoil, and the prolonging of life were all temporary, but the blessing of the eternal God is forever.  What joy it brought to the hearts of God's people!  What fear came upon the neighbouring nations when they heard God fought for Israel!  What peace the people enjoyed in the land because God was with them.  David wrote in Psalm 34:1-2, "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad."

Everyone wants a blessing, right?  We all desire good things from God.  What do you know of the blessing of blessing God, of praise, worship, and bold proclamation of His greatness?  Many enemies will come against us, and even some from within the city walls.  But through faith in God as our eyes are fixed upon Him, the battlefield can become a place of blessing because God saves and gives eternal life to those who bless His holy name.  Let's praise God for the blessing of blessing:  because He lives, we will live to praise and rejoice in Him.