The lame man leaps (5) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

(He) entered the temple with them – walking, leaping, and praising God.
Acts 3:8

The lame man leaps (5)
The first reactions of the formerly lame man are to leap up, to stand, and to walk around – signs of his personal joy. But he does not stop there, because the Bible text says that he “entered the temple with them” and that he was “praising God” – signs of a joy expressed together.

Until then he had sat in the gate that led to the temple. But most likely he was never allowed to enter himself, because he was lame. But now he is allowed. What might he have felt in doing so?

Peter and John accompany him inside. Everyone who is saved is called into a community. One is ‘born into’ a new family, namely the family of God. It is also called the church, or the assembly of God. In the Acts of the Apostles we read how profound the idea of community and union of the first Christians was (ch. 2:44). Unfortunately today, for whatever reason, some Christians are travelling alone, without any spiritual fellowship!

The formerly lame man praises God. The Bible also calls believers to do this: “Therefore by Him (Christ) let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). You can praise God every day. You don’t need a church building or a church hall to do it. God rejoices and is honoured when we “continually” bring Him praise. And because faith is always lived in fellowship with other Christians, believers use the weekly church services to praise God together and thank Him for His salvation.

(to be concluded tomorrow)

Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 17:31-40 · Psalms 104:1-12