The Chosen
God has been working with signs and wonders throughout time. Witnessing and being a part of God’s wonder-working power is to be desired. The thought that God could choose me to work out a work is marvelous. Imagine how Mary felt after hearing that God had chosen her to usher in the Messiah (Lk 1:46-49). She gave God a shout of praise because he had chosen her out of all the virgins in her time; he chose her. It must have been an exhilarating feeling for Mary to feel chosen. When God chooses us, he assures us, and this is through his words (Is41:9-10) and with signs and wonders (Mk16:17-18). Peter tells us that we have to become diligent in practicing the confirmation of our calling daily in order not to fail in life (2Pt1:10-11).
Acts 4:22-24
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
The lame man whom they laid near the gate of the temple, called beautiful in the early church. He was placed there daily by either his family or friends to ask for alms, being that he could not work or fetch his food. The temple was the perfect place to beg because those who came to pray knew God’s expectation of his people when it comes to the less fortunate (Pr19:17). He had no idea that God’s calling for him was going to happen that day. God’s wonder-working powers are with undisputable evidence. The man was forty years old and born lame. Just like the man who was born blind, whom, after Jesus spat on the ground and made mud, and put it on his eyes, was healed (J9:6-7), was this lame man.
Peter and John were taken to the Sanhedrin to be interrogated and possibly punished for preaching and healing the lame man. But before, the lame man grabbed hold fast of the apostles as if he did not want this wonder-working power to leave. Everyone, out of excitement and being astonished seeing the lame man on his feet, surrounded the apostles as if they out of their own healed the man themselves. Peter and John immediately corrected the people and pointed to God for performing this miracle. When Peter and John came to their friends who were praying for them and witnessed to them of all that God had done and of their boldness, the people felt that they needed what the apostles had. They lifted their voices and prayed unto God to give them the boldness the apostles had (Acts 4:31).
Luke 1:46-49
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Isaiah 41:9-10
9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
2 Peter 1:10-11
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 19:17
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
John 9:6-7
6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.