Daily Devotions
But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:6-8
Last week the video of Rob Summers was almost everywhere.
In 2006, a car accident left Summers paralyzed from the chest down. His doctors gave him the bad news: he would never stand or walk again. For years it appeared those doctors had been correct in their prediction.
Note the tense of the verb in the previous sentence: the doctors had been correct. In 2009, an electrical stimulator was placed on the lining of Summer’s spinal cord. In days he stood without help. Months later he was wiggling his toes, moving his knees, ankles and hips. He even managed to take a few steps on a treadmill.
In short, Rob Summers is the recipient of a modern miracle of science.
In contrast to Summer’s story, the third chapter of Acts tells of an ancient miracle done in the Savior’s Name. As Peter and John entered the temple, a crippled beggar called to them for assistance. The disciples stopped and then Peter said, “I’ve got no cash, but I’ve got something better. In Jesus’ Name get up and walk.”
The text says the man had to undergo intensive therapy, wear leg braces and then managed to get around with the help of a motorized wheelchair.
No, it doesn’t say anything like that. It says the disciples helped the man to his feet and immediately his ankles and legs were healed. He was so healed he began to hop, skip and jump.
Now all of us give thanks for the miracles of modern medicine. We have all been blessed by what the Lord has allowed man to accomplish.
But we should also give thanks the Lord also performs miracles. He has and continues to perform them for us all. With faith in Jesus our sins are removed. That’s a miracle. With faith in Jesus we are given peace, hope, happiness and the promise of an everlasting home in heaven.
Miracles all … and miracles that science, no matter how far it progresses, will never be able to duplicate.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we give thanks for the miracles of modern medicine. Even as we rejoice in these blessings, we acknowledge there are miracles being done which belong to Your domain and can be accomplished only by Your will. May I, the recipient of Your grace, always be moved to praise You for all You have done. This I pray in my Savior’s Name. Amen.