The words in John 5:2-8, remind me of the state some of us are in and I hope you will be encourage that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. When circumstances beat us down and we feel helpless, despondent and hopeless, let us be encouraged that someday, somehow we can rise up again.
Such was the case of this man by the pool of Bethsaida. The pool with five gates. Five is the number for grace. Grace will draw what we do not deserve; grave will attract favour, hope, deliverance, joy, peace and a lot more. Grace will replace ashes with beauty. Grace will turn a pauper into a prince. Grace will redeem and restore lost love, marriages, and financial doors; in fact the list is endless.
How, we do not know, but when we remain hopeful and hand around the pool of God’s fathfulness, the helper will surely pass through one of those doors just as Jesus did one graceful day and put a smile back into this man’s life and a spring to his steps.
As you will read below, many trod on this man to jump into the pool and did not bother to help him.
You may have been by-passed by those who could have helped you, trampled upon, despised, betrayed,look up for your time of relief will certainly come. This is how the story is told of what happened to a man as recorded in the Bible:.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.-(John 5:2-8)
I encourage you today to pick yourself up, do not complain like this man or continue to reflect on the past. You can do all things through Christ, rest on His power deposited in you through the help of the Holy Spirit and begin to do something. Continuous reliance on other enslaves and will not allow you move ahead in life. With reference to the above story I believe that for thirty-eight odd years this man could have shuffled or rolled sideways into the water.
Every little effort could have drawn him closer to this water working miracles rather than wait on others. There are things that I was very weak at, but by daily and gradual practice I have become better at. So my dear, rise up, shake off every inhibition and take little steps each day. I do not know where you need to get to, or what you want to change in your life, every little step will take you closer to the required goal.
How? Maybe a moment of reflection to determine what the actual problem is ,a counsel, a word of advice from a friend or mentor, a book you may read, a search on the internet, attending a conference, in any case something, somehow will kick-start your achieving that desired goal.
That dream business, relationship or whatever the goal is could be achieved. God will always show mercy by His grace and no matter the situation when you rest on His promises, they will come true for you. I hope that these words below will become your confidence because these were his promises to His children.
His promises yesterday remain the same for us today. (Hebrews 13:8)
19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honour in every land where they have suffered shame.
20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes[e] before your very eyes,” says the LORD.(Zephaniah 3:19-20)NIV
How do you seek to put the past behind you? Please leave your comments below. Also feel free to share this post using the social media buttons below.