9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God,
When they saw the physical manifestation of the miracle, they turned and were ready to listen. They have not come to faith yet, because the presence of wonder and amazement does not mean salvation. God uses a miracle to get people’s attention. Miracles are not the end result, but a stop along the way. God is not so much interested in healing our bodies as we sometimes feel. Our bodies are temporary, dying “tents”. We dwell here for a while and then we get a new body in heaven. If there is a miracle that lasts, it is the miracle of salvation. The healing of our body only lasts for this lifetime. We will all someday die. It is inevitable. No matter what diet regiment we follow, we will die. There are no magic pills, no fountain of youth that can permanently stop aging and death. That is why what happens next in our text is so important. The man who is walking and praising God has just had his lifelong crippled feet and ankles healed. He went to the Temple on that day expecting to beg and get a few pennies to survive, just like he had done every other day of his life. Today he gets something that radically changes his life. Now he will have to get a job, be responsibly engaged in his community. He will add value to the economy. His disability check has been cut off, and he will now go to work and earn an ability check. But at this moment in time, he still has not fully realized what has happened. He knows his feet work, but now he is going to become the object lesson in a powerful sermon. His weakness demonstrated God’s strength. Many lives are going to be changed because of this miracle. But the observers don’t know what has happened. All they know is that this man can now walk. They don’t know the source of the healing. They are still blind to the truth. Wonder and amazement are not enough. An emotional altar call is not enough. Even words of repentance are not enough. It is the active, continuing submission to God, listening to His Word and still small whisper. That is what makes the difference. It is the living out of the commitment we make. When this man woke up the next morning and he went to work, that is the miracle. His feet being healed was just a way for God to get people’s attention. His feet were just a billboard advertising the greatness of God. What does God want to use in your life as a billboard to God’s greatness? Are you willing to let Him use you?
The Arnold Journey 