March 8: Power + Faith = Miracle!

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray when they got interrupted by a lame man who lay by the gate. He was begging for alms to all who passed by. Had the lame man been there before? I am sure he has. Had the disciples been to the temple before? I am sure they have too. Had the disciples seen the lame man by the gate before? Probably. So, what changed between then and now? The arrival of the Holy Spirit.

As we have been meditating, the entry of the Holy Spirit changed everything for the disciples. Not only had their perspective changed radically as their priorities shifted from earthly to heavenly, but they now also had power from above. It was Jesus’ promise “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

But the question is : how did they know they have power? Did they muscles become stronger? Did they feel more powerful? Don’t think so. It had nothing to do with feelings, but everything to do with faith and confidence in what God promised them “you will receive power..”. Yes, the speaking in tongues experience would have boosted their confidence as it was proof that the Holy Spirit was here, but I believe they were filled with a boldness like never before, and they had no issues believing what the Holy Spirit was capable of. And they demonstrated their faith through their words and action.

When the lame man asks Peter for alms, he does not waste any time, instead straightaway uses the authority given to him to declare healing in the man’s life. They had no more fear. They were full of power and faith. And that produced their first miracle. When Peter later explained the miracle he said “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16)

The Holy Spirit give us power that never existed in us before getting saved. But we also need to exercise our faith through our words and actions. If we doubt, there’s two possible reasons: a) we don’t have the Holy Spirit inside of us, or b) we are not exercising our faith.

You see the Holy Spirit is a gift, but faith is a choice. Both are important to progress the kingdom of God in this world. There are many people in the world today who are like the lame man by the gate. They are seeking for help but most people just walk past. Even the God-fearing ones. Only someone filled with the Holy Spirit and have made the choice to do something with the Holy Spirit will experience the breakthroughs and miracles as promised by Jesus. It goes hand in hand. One is no value without the other.