What You Need

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” - Acts 3:2‭-‬6 

How often do you ask for something from God? Whether it’s for God to just be with your friend, for healing in a family members life, guidance in rough situations, even in our financial struggles. Shoot, I won’t lie, in the past I’ve even asked God for a boyfriend before. Lame right?

Have you ever found yourself thinking though, “God didn’t answer my prayers,” or “He didn’t give me what I wanted.” Because I have, countless times. But, don’t you see? This is what I realized:

What I want is not necessarily what I need.

This man who was lame from birth was asking for a specific thing. I do not want to add my words to the text, but maybe because he was lame he just could not make a living? Day after day he would sit at the gate Beautiful and beg for money. Not even paying those people walking past him any mind. He was probably so used to others ignoring him or telling him no.

Do you ever go to God with a request expecting to be ignored? Maybe because “God didn’t answer your last prayer.”

But, like Peter telling the lame man look at us, God is telling you to look at him. Pay attention! God does answer you!

The lame man gave Peter his undivided attention. What does Peter do with it? “I’m sorry, I don’t have silver or gold.” But, really that is not what the lame man needed. Because Peter continued by saying what he does have, he will give the man. In the name of Jesus Christ, Peter gave the man the ability to walk!

This man. Who was lame since birth. Who, because he couldn’t walk, wasn’t working. He couldn’t make a living. This man was asking for a temporary fix. “Do you have money?” Yet, Peter was like, “nope, that is not what you need.”

It is good to ask God for what you want. But, please, do not be surprised when he gives you what you really need instead.

Stop thinking that because he didn’t give you what you asked for that he just didn’t answer your prayers. He did. He does. He always will. He never fails in providing what you need.

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Luke 12:24

The man did not get what he asked for. He was given what he needed. But I’ll leave you with this little thought to ponder.

The man was given the ability to walk. This leads to the possibility of finding work, right? What do you get when you work? Money. What was the man asking for again?