Text: Acts 14:8-18
“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” —Psalm 78:4
When Damar Hamlin collapsed on Monday Night Football, the whole nation embraced a tone, if not a posture of prayer. Everyone was in agreement that the situation was dire and intervention was urgent. Yet isn’t it baffling how quickly people turned from a position of dependence on divine help to a posture of defiance after that man walked out of the hospital alive? Though Mr. Hamlin continues to give the credit to God for saving his life, many are offended by that and only want to credit the medical personnel who assisted the football player on the field. Many want to rob God of the glory He deserves, and the miracle He gave, as an entire nation seemed to be interceding for one man in a moment of crisis.
After a crippled man was healed at Lystra, the crowds began to worship (give all the credit) to Paul and Barnabas because they were the instruments God used to initiate the process. “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men,” they hailed. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them… for He did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Yet even with this rebuke, they still couldn’t be restrained in offering praise to them.
God specializes in doing things thought impossible. But when our praise gets misdirected to the instruments of God’s sovereign dispensation rather than back to the goodness of the living God who has graciously performed the impossible, we stand in the same shoes as those in Lystra—whether intentionally or inadvertently, we can find ourselves in a place of robbing God of His glory. This is very fresh with me as I have received a remarkable healing from God just recently.
A year ago, I was diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a disease that medical professionals state, “can’t be cured,” only “managed.” The doctor advised me to consider getting stents immediately or in the near future. Though I was peacefully resigned to accepting this as my “thorn in the flesh,” many people around the world continued to pray fervently for my healing. And while in Korea earlier this year, I sense the Holy Spirit’s conviction to prepare for divine healing and to consider what it would look like to “steward that healing” well. I sensed God cultivating my heart to be “ready” to declare His praises and “record” of His deeds on the other end of that healing.
When I visited the vascular specialist last Friday, the test results were phenomenal. Last year my right leg vein had a 6.3mm opening when it was supposed to be 10-14mm. Today it is between 11mm and 15mm in various areas of blood flow. The doctor’s eyes got a little wider when she said “15.” I thought about that promise of Ephesians 3:20… “Now unto Him that is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE all that we ask or think”!!! That’s a God who can get us into the “15” range—ABOVE just the normal range. According to most medical professionals, that doesn’t just happen without surgical procedures.
I’m not one of those “name-it-claim-it” guys, but when God shows up big and does the apparent impossible, ONLY He is worthy of the glory. My doctors have been helpful. They have my respect and appreciation, but they won’t get the praise. My diet has been conducive to “managing” the situation, but that diet is not capable of reversing what God reversed. I love that this passage in Acts 14 was written by Luke, a physician who didn’t rob God of the glory He deserved. Neither will I rob Him of His goodness in my life!
Perhaps God has showed up big in your life in the past and you failed to honor Him with the glory He deserves. May I say that it is never too late to proclaim the excellencies and the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). It’s never too late to share with others the testimonies of all that God has done. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, may I be one who is always ready to declare the wonderful deeds of your majesty. May I always live to tell the miracles you have performed, that I would be a faithful steward of your grace in my life. God, thank you for healing me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Application:
- Why do you think people lean into God during desperate moments, yet are so quick to turn away from Him when the crisis is over?
- When have you received God’s providence in such a way that you just couldn’t help but to share it with others?
- When have you failed to steward God’s providence well?
- What is your biggest takeaway from this text (Acts 14:8-18)?
- In what way might the Holy Spirit be leading you to “steward” God’s grace well, or flesh out old or new testimonies in praise of His providence?