Acts. 14:8-13
I believe this is a test for anyone in ministry. There will always be the temptation to take credit for things when, in fact, without God, none of it would be possible. Nebuchadnezzar tried to take credit for Babylon, and it cost him several years of his sanity until he acknowledged the Most High. And as we just read about Herod not long ago:
“The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.” Acts of the Apostles 12:22-23 NLT
Consider the very first Commandment: “You must not have any other god but Me.” That includes elevating ourselves to that place.
The people of Lystra were amazed at this bona fide miracle. This man had been crippled from birth and was healed. The people realized that something extraordinary had happened and that God was in their midst, but they mistakenly wanted to exalt His messengers. Their response was eerily reminiscent of Cornelius’s response to Peter when he came to his house.
We will see Paul and Barnabas’s response to all of this tomorrow. However, something else caught my eye in this portion of Scripture. Notice that it says Paul perceived that this man had faith to be healed and simply told him to stand up! What did he see? How do you see faith? It is possible there was a certain expectation he saw in the man’s expression. Whatever it was, Paul accurately read the situation and simply told the man to stand up—and he did.
Faith is such a key component in anything we receive from God. We have to believe. Faith unlocks the provisions of heaven. As Hebrews 11:6 states:
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Our faith is in God alone, who makes all things possible, for we take Him at His Word. If He said He will, He will—period. That belief stirs within us an expectation for the fulfillment of His promises, no matter how long we must wait. Scripture also says that God has given every person a measure of faith—a starting place from which to believe. Most people have an innate belief about heaven. Where did that come from?
Yet, as Paul and Barnabas had experienced before, we shall see that not everyone welcomes the Good News, even in the face of convincing proofs. Miracles may capture a person’s attention, but they do not guarantee a surrendered heart. Some will respond in faith, while others will explain away what they have witnessed or harden themselves against the truth. The issue is rarely the lack of evidence; it is often the condition of the heart.
God alone deserves the glory for every good thing accomplished through our lives. Whether in ministry, business, or everyday life, we are merely vessels through which He works. At the same time, faith remains the key that positions us to receive what God has promised. May we be quick to give Him the glory and just as quick to trust Him when He calls us to rise and walk in obedience.
“The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.” Acts of the Apostles 12:22-23 NLT
Consider the very first Commandment: “You must not have any other god but Me.” That includes elevating ourselves to that place.
The people of Lystra were amazed at this bona fide miracle. This man had been crippled from birth and was healed. The people realized that something extraordinary had happened and that God was in their midst, but they mistakenly wanted to exalt His messengers. Their response was eerily reminiscent of Cornelius’s response to Peter when he came to his house.
We will see Paul and Barnabas’s response to all of this tomorrow. However, something else caught my eye in this portion of Scripture. Notice that it says Paul perceived that this man had faith to be healed and simply told him to stand up! What did he see? How do you see faith? It is possible there was a certain expectation he saw in the man’s expression. Whatever it was, Paul accurately read the situation and simply told the man to stand up—and he did.
Faith is such a key component in anything we receive from God. We have to believe. Faith unlocks the provisions of heaven. As Hebrews 11:6 states:
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Our faith is in God alone, who makes all things possible, for we take Him at His Word. If He said He will, He will—period. That belief stirs within us an expectation for the fulfillment of His promises, no matter how long we must wait. Scripture also says that God has given every person a measure of faith—a starting place from which to believe. Most people have an innate belief about heaven. Where did that come from?
Yet, as Paul and Barnabas had experienced before, we shall see that not everyone welcomes the Good News, even in the face of convincing proofs. Miracles may capture a person’s attention, but they do not guarantee a surrendered heart. Some will respond in faith, while others will explain away what they have witnessed or harden themselves against the truth. The issue is rarely the lack of evidence; it is often the condition of the heart.
God alone deserves the glory for every good thing accomplished through our lives. Whether in ministry, business, or everyday life, we are merely vessels through which He works. At the same time, faith remains the key that positions us to receive what God has promised. May we be quick to give Him the glory and just as quick to trust Him when He calls us to rise and walk in obedience.
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