Faith

Acts 3:3-8 - 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help. 4 Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, "Look at us." 5 So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. 6 But Peter said, "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have, I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!" 7 Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. 8 So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

I read this passage this morning. I've read it before, probably many of you have, but this morning I really read it. I realized that I desperately want what Peter had. Unmoveable, complete FAITH. Now don't get me wrong, I have faith. I know that I know that I know God exists, Jesus is his son and the Holy Spirit walks with me daily, guiding me. I have led others to Jesus and taught what little I know. But...to have the undeniable, unwavering faith that Peter displayed. Wow! That is what I desire above all things. To me, his faith seems like it was as solid as a rock. It was deep like the roots of a mighty ancient oak tree. Just look at the passage above. This lame man, laying there asking for help, was asking for money as usual. That's what he did every day because he couldn't walk. Someone placed him there every day so he could beg. That was how he survived.
How many of us would have looked down at him (he was laying on the ground) and either walked on by, given him some money, or pointed him to the nearest homeless shelter? Think of it...those three options are probably the only three that would pop into most of our heads!!! Yet, Peter looks down at him when asked for help and says "Look at us." and then, "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have, I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"
Think of it...his very first response was I can't help you but my Lord can. I give to you the only thing I truly have to give, My Lord and his power. And truly, what Peter gave was the only thing this man needed. But I fear, in my innate humanness, in this situation I wouldn't believe. And even though I spoke the words, the man would continue to lay on the ground, lame as the day he was born. Peter spoke with authority, one so deeply part of him that I don't believe for a second he even considered the man wouldn't be healed. Even as he finished speaking he reached out and pulled the man to his feet because he knew they would now support him. He didn't speak and then wait to see if his prayer worked. He spoke a command, a blessing and then acted on it.
I can learn so much from Peter and his life. I long to walk in the authority Jesus has entrusted to me the way Peter did.

Lord, help me this day to walk in the authority granted me through Jesus Christ. Help me grow and become more like Him daily. Teach me and mold me. I love you. kath