When Jesus Walks By

Published: Jan. 25, 2021, midnight

b'***Today\\u2019s devotion tells the story of Acts 3-4 through the eyes of Tobiah, a fictionalized character of the man who was healed.***\\nTobiah sat at the temple gate, his legs curled to the side as he begged. He\\u2019d prayed for years, yet he still couldn\\u2019t walk. Why was God silent? Tobiah ached for an answer. Anything to assure him God cared.\\nThen, he heard about Jesus. They said He could heal those who couldn\\u2019t walk.\\nOne day, rushing feet and shouting filled the yard. After forty years of praying for a miracle, Jesus was finally coming. Tobiah leaned forward, waiting for a glimpse of the man who could heal. The Son of God.\\nThen, He was there. His dusty feet passed. Tobiah looked up, expectantly. But Jesus walked by. Tobiah was crushed.\\nDays later, word came: Jesus had been crucified. A week later, a rumor circulated that Jesus was alive again. Even so, Jesus did not come back to the temple gate, and Tobiah feared God had forgotten him. But one day, two men approached.\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Alms for the poor?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Tobiah asked. The men stopped. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I have no silver or gold,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d one of them said. Tobiah\\u2019s body sagged lower to the ground. They would walk away.\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153But what I have, that I give you,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d the man continued. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Tobiah stared at the man\\u2019s outstretched hand for a moment. Was this God\\u2019s answer?\\nHe took the man\\u2019s hand, and a surge of strength flowed through his legs. He could walk. As he ran, walking, leaping, and praising God, people began to talk about what God had done. That day, thousands put their faith in Jesus. \\u2022 Priscilla J. Krahn\\n\\u2022 Are there things you\\u2019re praying for that God seems to be waiting to answer? We don\\u2019t always know when or how God will answer our prayers, but we know He will answer in His perfect timing with a yes, no, or wait. Here\\u2019s some good news we can rest in as Christians. God is good, and He is working all things for good (Psalm 34:8; Romans 8:28). Jesus knows what our suffering is like, so we can come to Him with any hurt or request, even as we wait for His answers (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:7). Because of Jesus, sin and its effects\\u2014illness, brokenness, suffering, and death\\u2014will not have the last word (Revelation 21:1-5).\\nBut Peter said, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Acts 3:6 (WEB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nActs 3\\u20134'