Central Truth

Walking in faith is not about seeing and reacting, it is reacting without seeing. Even though the world's knowledge will tell us what cannot be done, seeking God's wisdom gives us a glimpse into what can be done through faith.

Reflections

In this passage, we read about Peter traveling the country and being confronted with two opportunities to showcase God's healing powers. The instantaneous healing of a paralytic and the revival of a dead woman were shocking events--then or now. Some thoughts on these scriptures:

1. The world had written off Aeneas and Tabitha. These two persons were beyond the limits of medical technology. Then, as now, Tabitha’s body would be quickly buried and Aeneas’ only hope would be in the charity of others to meet his physical needs. Today’s secular world contains significant amounts of knowledge, but it has divorced itself from faith or any notion of God’s ability to provide answers that are beyond our own efforts. Only in Christ do we find hope and victory.

2. Peter showed no doubt or hesitation in his prayers. In his prayers, Peter shows us the practiced hand of a person who walks in faith. Peter was confident in God’s abilities and readily submitted these difficult issues directly to God.

3. Peter sought no credit for himself. Peter understood that his mission was to serve Christ above all else. Peter didn’t ask God for these healings for his own vanity or the prospect that it might vault him to a high position, but rather he asked so that God could be glorified.

The passage is more about what the Holy Spirit can do than what Peter did do. Every day, each of us has the opportunity to submit our daily challenges to the Lord in prayer and walk more closely with Him in faith.

Discussion Questions

1. Reflect on the circumstances of your own life for a moment.
2. What barriers stand between you and greater faith?
3. Where is it that we have been convinced by the world that God cannot do something?                                                                                                                                          As you ponder these questions, reflect on this last question and then submit it to the Lord in prayer:                                            
4. What is it in your life today that is impossible to do; but if  it could be done would fundamentally change the way you walk in faith?