Thursday, June 15, 2017
When the Supernatural Invaded the Natural
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.”—Acts 3:12–13
It was a sink-or-swim moment for Peter. Either it would be a great victory, or it would be a horrible disaster. Either the lame man would stand to his feet, or he would collapse in a heap on the ground. But Peter was going for broke. And on that day, the supernatural invaded the natural. God decided to shake things up.
Simon Peter did not, in and of himself, have the faith to do what he was about to do. It was a miracle. God gave Peter a special measure of faith that enabled him to say to the man, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” (Acts 3:6). Then Peter helped him to his feet.
Having done this, the Lord then showed Peter that he was to preach the gospel. And Peter gave a great presentation of who Jesus Christ is.
Sometimes we’ll take a step of faith—if there is a backup plan, a safety net. I think this is one of the reasons young people often are the ones starting new works for the Lord. They haven’t lived long enough to become overly cautious. They don’t know any better.
Don’t get me wrong. There is a place for caution. There is place for prudence. And certainly if you are young, there is a place for seeking the counsel of older people who have lived longer than you.
But having said that, there is also a place for faith. There is also a place for taking chances and taking risks. And as we get older, we are less willing to do that than when we were younger. Peter was willing to take steps of faith. Are you?
Dig Deeper:
Today’s Radio Program
“Greg Laurie and Don Stewart on Life’s Big Questions–2”
This Week’s TV Program
“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Part 2”
Today’s Bible Reading
1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15-16; Colossians 1
Used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000.
