Hopeless?

“A man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.”—Acts 3:2 ESV

People feel hopeless for varied reasons. They may have tried to find solutions to their problems, but despite their efforts, nothing seems to have changed. Giving in to despair, they feel overwhelmed. Not knowing what to do, they give up.

This was the attitude of the lame man who sat by the gate of the temple. The beauty of the location may have been part of his attraction to it. There, he could stare and dream. Perhaps he imagined he was not lame.

Day after day, friends carried him to the same spot. He had become so comfortable in his discomfort that he spent his time begging for just enough to survive.

But Peter and John recognized that the man didn’t need sympathy or money. He needed to be healed. Peter spoke with boldness, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (v. 6)! In a moment, he was healed.

Are there people today like this lame man? People who have given up? Stopped trying? People who have assumed that their condition is hopeless? That there is no way to turn around their situation?

The answer is yes. But all of these people need to realize that there is hope! God cares for them and can help them. Encourage others to seek God, to have faith, and to believe Him for answers, even in situations that seem hopeless.

Reflection Question: Reflect on the hope you have in Jesus.