The Humble Beggar
By Carolyn Dale Newell
Thursday, July 20, 2017
And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple… Acts 3:2 NKJV
This lame man, which Peter and John healed at the temple, was like many disabled folks in that time. There were no government programs, and their survival was based on the charity of others. Yet, with all that he did not have, he had one vital thing – humility.
This lame beggar could do nothing on his own. He depended on someone to carry him to the temple daily. He depended on the mercy of others to give him money.
That is exactly how we come to Christ. We can do nothing to earn salvation. We should be humbled to think of all that Christ did for us. There is no room for pride.
We also need to come humbly before God when we pray. Notice that the beggar “asked” for alms. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you” (Luke 11:9).
Prayer is a humbling experience. Like that beggar, we are incapable of doing anything apart from God.
Let’s look at the blessings given to the humble beggar. He was only seeking money from Peter and John, but he received so much more. He was healed! For the first time in his life, he walked into the temple “leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8).
What was the people’s reaction when they recognized him as the beggar who had sat at the temple gate? “They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (Acts 3:10).
God uses humble people to witness to others. People will be astonished at what God does in the lives of those who are weak and merciful. Perhaps this is why Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6).
Please take time to read Acts 3:1-10 along with today’s devotion. It will greatly bless you. We will never know when we are humble because that knowledge would be prideful.
Pride is the exact opposite of humility. We need to pray for God to humble us every day.
Dear Lord, humble me so that I may be pleasing in Your sight. Never allow pride to creep in. Cleanse me from all pride and arrogance. Thank You. Amen.
© 2017 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.
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