Ask the Wrong Question

"Refuse to ask why."

THE MAN AT THE GATE CALLED BEAUTIFUL was there day in and day out while Jesus was alive. Jesus walked past him and saw him and yet did nothing. On the other hand, Jesus was sent to the man at the pool of Bethesda who’d been there 38 years. Why one and not the other?

Why is the wrong question. When is the right one, Why is what the devil wants you to get hung up on. With it, he can introduce a whole lot of doubt. Ask the unanswerable and the mind goes south. The devil knows this and counts on it.

He knows human nature. But that’s about it.

Please, please, PLEASE, every preacher in existence … STOP MAKING THE DEVIL SMART. This stupid fathead thought He could exalt himself higher than God. Just think about that, will ya?

But back to topic. Jesus did not heal the man at the gate. Instead, that moment came when Peter and John passed by and the man asked for alms. Alms. He didn’t ask for healing. He asked for money.

“Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.” (Acts 3:3)

Everyone knew him. He was a fixture in the city. You went to the temple, you saw the man at the gate, you went inside. But this time, Peter stopped, and God spoke. The word “beautiful” is actually the word hōraios which means “right hour or season (timely).” So, in essence the man who everyone walked past was seated at the Right-Time Gate when the right time came.

Why? Okay, I said not to ask that, but this time, I have an answer. Why did Jesus walk by and why did Peter stop? Why was the man healed on that particular day? And looking backward, why then, did he have to go so long without healing? Because God knew that His healing would show evidence that Jesus was alive. He was Jesus’ testimony.

“And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10)

Evidence was everywhere. People knew that man was a cripple. People saw him healed. Jesus was the reason he could walk and not even the threats of the council (insert deep voice) could keep these men from speaking in Jesus’ name again. In fact, after being told to shut up, they prayed for boldness to preach the gospel and lay hands on the sick.

Asking why is a killer. What we need to say instead is SO WHAT. Look the threat in the eye and, like Peter and John, say SO WHAT. God is on my side. He is for me and not against me. He died so I could be saved, healed, delivered, provided for, and He never changes. His mercy is everlasting. His love is abundant and forever.

Don’t ask why, focus instead on who God is. Focus on Jesus.

Refuse to blame God for sickness and disease. Refuse to blame Him for bad timing. Refuse to turn your back on the truth of the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God. Refuse to ask why, then lean into the Spirit and seek His presence.

Worship. I say this all the time. But worship is where God meets you. In worship, as we sit in His presence, He can do great, amazing things that circumnavigate the will of our flesh and mind. The body, our thought life, puts up a barrier. Worship tears it down.

(Read “I love it when the truth wins!” https://sdwauthor.blogspot.com/2024/04/i-love-it-when-truth-wins.html)

On the bad days, refuse the guilt. You didn’t do anything wrong to put you where you are. Even if you think you did, God’s forgiveness is always present, and when He forgives, He puts it as far from us as the East is from the West. Release the guilt and embrace God’s goodness.

In the presence of all the whys, sit at the table the Lord has prepared and dine on the fantastic beauty of His Word and His presence. Don’t let the enemy sit at the table. Throw a plate at him, and you eat your fill. God feeds us when the pressure’s on, when the enemy is drooling on our neckline, when we’re all hot and bothered and about to explode. That’s the point of the table.

Jesus is there, and He loves you. No questions asked.

ACTS 3:1-10
“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. (2) 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 of them that entered into the temple; (3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. (4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. (5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. (6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (7) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (8) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God: (10) And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.”


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com